[<h1>Final Days </h1> <h2>By Kevin Guinn</h2>
The world is ending soon. [["The War"->The War]] has gone nuclear. You only have a few days left to live. What will you do?
You can...
[[Visit the Town Bar -> Town Bar]]
[[Visit the Local Inn-> Local Inn]]
[[Visit the Market-> Market]]
][The "The Copper Cask" is the only bar in town. It's a calm and refined place where people come to drink, socialize, and forget about the troubles of the world outside. The bar is located on Main Street, across from the town's only grocery store, and the sign out front is faded and weather-beaten.
Inside, the bar is dimly lit and smoky, with a jukebox playing old Jazz songs in the corner. The walls are lined with paintings and dim lights, and the floor is scuffed and stained. The bar itself is made of dark wood, and there are a few bar stools scattered along its length.
Behind the bar stands a man named Henry. He is a refined and calm man who owns The Copper Cask. He's always dressed in a crisp white shirt and black pants, with a neatly trimmed beard and a calm, friendly demeanor. He's well-read and well-spoken, and he can carry on a conversation about just about anything. He's always wiping down the bar with a rag. There are a few regulars who can always be found at the bar, nursing a beer or a shot of whiskey. This includes a middle-aged woman with short, curly hair and a worn expression, and an older man with a gentle demeanor and a kind smile
The Copper Cask is a place where people come to share stories, commiserate about their troubles, and maybe even find a little bit of hope in a world that seems so bleak.
Will You...
[[Talk to Henry -> Henry]]
[[Talk to Middle Aged Woman -> Middle Aged Woman]]
[[Talk to Kind Old Man -> Kind Old Man]]
[["Back to Town" ->Starting Page]]
]["The Grand Phoenix is a once-grand hotel that has fallen into disrepair in the aftermath of the nuclear war. The sign outside is faded and half-broken, missing several letters. The exterior is cracked and crumbling, with vines and weeds growing up the sides of the building.
Inside, the lobby is dark and musty, with a chandelier that hangs crookedly from the ceiling. The furniture is old and worn, with ripped leather armchairs and scratched wooden tables. The check-in desk is manned by a tired-looking woman named Marie, who has been running the hotel on her own since her husband passed away. There is also an elderly man with a thick white beard who is sitting in one of the armchairs, staring blankly at the flickering television in the corner, and a young woman with a backpack slung over her shoulder standing at the check-in desk; haggling with Marie over the price of a room ."
Will you.....
[[Talk to Marie -> Marie 1]]
[[Talk to Old Man -> Old Man]]
[[Talk to Young Woman -> Young Woman]]
[[Back to Town ->Starting Page]]
][In the aftermath of the nuclear war, "The Harvest Basket" has become a much bleaker place. The shelves that were once stocked with fresh produce, meat, and dairy products are now mostly empty. The market owner has had to scale back his offerings due to a lack of available supplies.
What little food remains is carefully rationed out to the community, with priority given to those who are most in need. The market owner has become a master at making the most of limited resources, and he's constantly on the lookout for new ways to supplement his stock.
Despite the challenges, the market remains an important gathering place for the community. People come not just to purchase goods, but to share news, catch up with friends, and offer support to one another in these difficult times.
At The Harvest Basket, you'll find the owner who is checking inventory in the back, a young mother with her infant son, yelling at the workers, and a high school student who volunteers at the market in exchange for extra rations.
Will You...
[[Talk to the Owner -> The Owner]]
[[Talk to the Mother -> The Mother]]
[[Talk to the Student -> The Student]]
[["Back to Town" ->Starting Page]]
]Tensions between powerful nations have escalated to the point where nuclear weapons have been deployed, causing widespread devastation and loss. The once-beautiful landscapes are now barren, scarred by the radiation and fallout from the bombs. The air is thick with the acrid smell of smoke and dust. The sky is darkened by ash and debris, and the sun struggles to break through the thick clouds that blanket the world.
Survivors are few and far between, huddled together in small groups as they struggle to live out an existence in a world that has been torn apart. Food and water are scarce, and disease and sickness are rampant. The few resources that remain are fiercely guarded, leading to desperate acts of violence and desperation.
The world is a shadow of its former self, a bleak and desolate landscape of ruins and rubble. Those who remain live in constant fear of the next attack, knowing that there may be no escape from the horrors of a nuclear war. The future is uncertain, and the only certainty is that the world will never be the same again.
The town you are in is called Ember Ridge, located in the heart of the American Midwest. Before the nuclear war, it was a thriving community with a population of just over 5,000 people. Ember Ridge was known for its quaint main street, lined with family-owned shops and restaurants, and its proximity to rolling farmland and pristine lakes.
That would all change now that they have had only a couple days left. Everyone knows this.
[["Back" ->Starting Page]] "Hey there buddy!"
"How have you been?"
[[Do I know you? -> Old Man 2]] "Did you just come to talk to me about the argument I just had with Marie?"
[[I guess it's none of my business, but I just wanted to make sure you were ok. -> Young Woman 2]]"Welcome to The Grand Phoenix honey!"
"I've never seen your face around here before!"
[[I'm just passing by... -> Marie 2]]"Well let me set you up with a room free of charge!"
"It's the least I can do for a newcomer! We only have a few days anyway... so why the hell not!"
[[Uhhhh... Thanks? Why didn't you give a free room to woman you were arguing with? -> Marie 3]]"Well... That's a long story, I dont mean no harm but... anyhoo... her name is Ellie. She used to have her own Inn on the other side of town. It was called "Ashwood Hills". Just about last week when the first couple of smaller bombs fell, one of them collapsed the whole thing. She was looking for a place to stay. That makes it sound awful but my late husband have had some quarrels with her family over the years. My husband was also killed by one of the smaller bombs. He always would say to me, "Make sure to not let a damned' Mayfield in here ever again." I never really knew why he had such problems with the family, they seem very kind! But, repectfully out of his wishes, I promised I wouldn't let a Mayfield in."
[[Oh.. I'm sorry for your loss. Sorry that I asked, it seems like none of my business. -> Marie 4]]"It's ok! I usually talk about everything, but that story I usually keep to myself. It was nice to be able to talk about it! I hope you enjoy your room and I hope you have a wonderful stay at The Grand Phoenix!"
[[Thanks. See you around... -> Local Inn]] "What are you talking about child?"
"You don't know your own father when you see him?"
[[You're mistaking me for someone else... -> Old Man 3]]*The screen of the TV he's watching is just static*
"No I couldn't mistake my own child!"
"I know it's you!"
*Yeah, this isn't going to go anywhere*
[[Ok "dad" I have to go! There's something important I have to go do! -> Old Man 4]]"See ya later buddy!"
[[*Leave* -> Local Inn]] "Well thanks, that doesn't really help me does it?"
[[I'm sorry, I'll leave you alone... -> Young Woman 3]]
"I'm sorry... It's just I have nowhere to go. I used to own an inn on the other side of town. It got destroyed but one of the smaller bombs that came down last week. I've been hopping from couch to couch and I've finally run out of places to stay. Well I guess it's all pointless huh? We won't be here in a few days..."
[[Don't be sorry, that sounds rough... -> Young Woman 4]]"It's ok.. I'll figure something out. It's facisnating that most of this town is acting like we aren't coming to an end. Everyone's acting almost oblivious to what going to happen. I might just travel and find somewhere pretty to be in our last days."
[[I'll leave you to it. -> Local Inn]] "Hey old friend!"
"I was hoping to meet you at a better time than this!"
*Henry is a childhood friend of mine. He left our hometown as soon as he could and started a life over here in Ember Ridge. *
[[Hey Henry! I see you've been busy! -> Henry 2]] " hicc.. Whooozzz aree youuu??? ...hicc "
*This woman is very intoxicated*
[[Just someone passing by. Drank a little too much huh? -> Middle Aged Woman 2]] "Hello young one! You seem new here! Whats brings you in?"
[[Well, Henry is an old friend of mine. -> Kind Old Man 2]]"I have! I have a wonderful wife and two beutiful kids! I've made a name for myself as the best bartender in town!"
[[It's a nice place Henry. What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be with your family at a time like this? -> Henry 3]]"My family is out of town to try and find "saftey". There is no saftey, at least that's what all the radios are saying. I don't want my kids to lose hope and just count the seconds until our demise. That's no way for a child to live. I sent my wife on a mission for saftey just in the smallest chance that they would find something."
[[Still... shouldn't you be out with your family instead of staying here in this bar? -> Henry 4]]"My place is here. Tending to those who wish to drink. It's one of the only ways out for them. If the world is going to end, might as well drink. I guess, it takes that edge off of a horrible fate. Besides we are going to meet again after this is all over. If, by the small chance, they find saftey, I hope they can live on to have better lives. I hope you understand."
[[I don't really understand, but I understand that you have your reasons -> Henry 5]]"Thanks, I guess it's the only way for me to cope with the situation we are in."
"All drinks are on the house, by the way! No use letting it all go to waste!"
"Stop on by at any time and I'll put a drink in your hand!"
[[Thanks Henry. I hope your family finds saftey. -> Town Bar]] "hicc... Youzzz cannn neverss drinkzzzz tooooo muchhh duringssss a time likee thisss ...hicc. Welllll niceee toooo meectcha, I'mmm Donnaaa, hic... I workss atts thee marketts acrosss the wayy."
*All you can smell is whiskey from her breath.*
[[Nice to meet you. I hope the drinking helps you cope. -> Middle Aged Woman 3]]"Ittt realllyyyyy doesss helppp, hic... youuuu shouldd stopp byyys theee marketss ...hicc. Myyy husbandsss runsss theeee placeee ...hicc."
[[I'll make sure to stop by. Stay safe Donna. -> Middle Aged Woman 4]] "Sayyyyyyyy hiiii to Aidennnn for me hicc..."
[[*Leave* -> Town Bar]] "Henry is one of the most loyal people I know, he's been helping me deal with all of my issues, well before this whole war. He's a good friend and man can he make one hell of a drink!"
[[Seems like you've known him for a while. -> Kind Old Man 3]]"I have! I always come here to ask him questions about what I should do with the problems I've had. Specfically with my brother, he has been dealing with Dimensia for the last 10 years. It's been hard seeing the progression, but now I don't even know him anymore. he is just a husk of himself."
[[I'm so sorry. That is really hard to go through. No wonder Henry was helping you. Henry is really good at that. -> Kind Old Man 4]]"Yeah, he really is. In my opinion, he should be with his family right now, instead of babysitting us oldfolk."
[[I was wondering the same thing. But, Where is your brother, aren't you going to spend time with him? -> Kind Old Man 5]]"Well, he's at The Grand Phoenix right now. That place has the last working television in town, even if it's all just static. That's the only thing I know of him anymore. All I know is that the TV makes him happy. I can't explain it nor can I try to change it. I want him to be happy in our final days so I asked Marie to take care of him. She lets him sit and watch the TV all day. It really seems to make him happy. Soon enough he'll be taken away from that pain."
"Sorry for being so negative! You kind of remind me of Henry. You just listen and care for other people. That's a really rare attribute."
"Well I should probably head home at some point. It was nice talking to you. If you ever see my brother don't hesitate to say hi. He loves talking to new people."
[[Ok! Will do! Have a good night! -> Town Bar]] "Hello, Welcome to The Harvest Basket! I'm Aiden, the Owner. If you are here to get your rations for this week you can talk to Hannah!"
[[I'm not here for rations, I am new in town and I just came to check out the area. -> The Owner 2]]
"Do you work here!? No one seems to be able to help me and I am going insane!? "
[[No, I don't work here, but what seems to be the problem? -> The Mother 2]]
"Hello! Welcome to The Harvest Basket! I'm Hannah! What is your citizen number?!"
[[Oh! I'm not a citizen here. I'm just passing through. -> The Student 2]]"Ahh I see! What brings you to Ember Ridge?"
[[I'm a traveler and I happened to stop by to see my old friend Henry. -> The Owner 3]]
"Oh Henry. I see. You're friends with that fool? Let me give you some advice. Stay away from him. All he does is create problems."
[[What do you have against Henry? -> The Owner 4]]
"He gets my wife drunk. She started to drink heavily just as the war was starting. It's gotten to a point of addiction. She needs help and he enables her to drink. I try to cut her off from that bar but against my wishes Henry still continues to put drinks in her hand. I bet you all the rations in this store that she's over there drinking right now. I don't know what to do about it. Is there even a point? We are all going to be gone in a few days anyways."
[[No that makes sense. You are worried for your wife and that's something that every husband does. I think there is a point to care for your partner's wellbeing. -> The Owner 5]]"Thanks for the kind words. I wish there was something I could do but right now I just need to focus on helping people get the rations they need. Thanks for stopping by to chat."
[[Of course, thank you for caring for everyone else! -> Market]] "My child is sick and I have no idea whats wrong. The hospital is gone and there is no where else to go. I don't know what to do!? I feel like I am in a pit and I can't get out!"
[[I'm sorry. I wish there was something that I could do. I don't have any expireince with health or children. -> The Mother 3]]
"That is what everyone else is telling me! No one has expirence?! I somehow doubt that! I need someone to help me! I just don't know what to do! Even if he's healed we won't be able to survive our fate. I just need to heal my baby. It's the one thing I owe them as their mother. I need to take care of them."
[[I understand. I'll let you be with your child I hope you are able to find peace. -> Market]]"Well Welcome! How have you liked Ember Ridge?! I have grown up here all my life! I was about 7 when the war started."
"My mother runs The Grand Phoenix! It's my favorite place to be!"
[[I just got into town so I'm still getting my bearings! I just wanted to say that I think that it is very noble and kind that you are volenteering to help ration out food. -> The Student 3]]"Thanks! I work as hard as I can! My mother is a great inspiration to work towards. She is always so helpful and she's so helpful! Right now she is taking care of a man with Demensia. She has always been like that. Always helping others without expecting anything in return!
[[That is a great role model to have! It's really rare to have hope in times like these, so hold onto it tight. -> The Student 4]]
"I will! If you should go talk to her over at The Grand Phoenix if you haven't already! She loves meeting new people! I better get back to work! Have a great rest of your visit!"
[[Thanks! Keep up the great work! -> Market]]