"Are the Forest Scouts //that// important an organization?" Mr. Goldstein muses. "I mean, what about the Brookeville Badgers? Those boys sure could use a few extra pigskins." "And the jail," Mrs. Wang interjects. "Those shoplifters aren't going to lock themselves up." "Besides," Mr. Goldstein says, "we have so many cookies already." "Oh, well," you say to yourself, [[deciding to survey the block's other houses.|Start]] (set: $visitedHouse3 to true)"An excellent idea!" Mr. Goldstein says. "It may not look like it, but the neighborhood always needs improving." "You girls are so helpful," Mrs. Wang says. After she forks over five hundred dollars, you give her all one hundred boxes in return. Finally! (set: $soldCookies to true) "I'm gonna talk to Mrs. Forest about my badge now," you say. (if: $hasSamAndElla is true) ["Can we come with you?" Sam asks. "Sure!" you say. The three of you] (else:) [You] walk towards [[the house on the left|The house on the left]].Playtesters: "Why should we buy cookies from you, Desiree?" Sam asks. "You've been nothing to us but a tattletale and know-it-all." "Yeah," Ella chimes in. "Remember the hamster incident?" You mop water from your brow, trying to squeeze it out of your neatly braided cornrows. "But don't you like Crunchy Mints?" Ella ducks into the kitchen, then returns seconds later with boxes upon boxes of Crunchy Mints, Goopy Caramels, Fudge Sludges, Tango Foxtrots, Tongas, Hanger-Ons, and more. "Where the heck did you get all these?" you ask. "Other Forest Scouts, duh," Sam replies. "Ones that aren't snitches." [[You can never have too many cookies!]] [[Maybe I wouldn't be a snitch if you weren't so destructive.]](if: $hasSamAndElla is true) ["Desiree, Sam, and Ella?" the mayor asks. (if: $visitedHouse2 is true) [You can still see the weird metal thingy behind him.] (else:) [Behind him is some weird metal thingy.]"Time to get brainwashed!" He pulls a remote out from his pocket and shoves his finger towards the button. Before he can press it, Sam and Ella each tackle one of his legs, knocking him to the ground. The remote falls out of his hand onto the floor. [[Shoot the metal thingy]] [[Shoot the remote]] [[Grab the remote]]] (else:) ["Desiree?" the mayor asks. (if: $visitedHouse2 is true) [You can still see the weird metal thingy behind him.] (else:) [Behind him is some weird metal thingy.]"Time to get brainwashed!" He pulls a remote out from his pocket and shoves his finger towards the button. Before he can press it, you shove his legs, knocking him to the ground. The remote falls out of his hand onto the floor. [[Shoot the metal thingy]] [[Shoot the remote]] [[Grab the remote]]](if: $hasSamAndElla is true)[You and the mayor dive for the remote at the same time. Before he can get to it, Sam and Ella tackle him again. Snatching the remote off the floor, you point it at the mayor and press the button. The mayor's eyes glaze over. "Can this thing understand voice commands?" you ask. "You will become the best mayor the town has ever seen," Sam says. "You will host massive parties for every major holiday, with lots of catering," Ella chimes in. "And redirect funding towards the school, park, and library," you add. The mayor blinks once, then twice, then shakes his head back and forth like a dog. "What are you girls doing here so late?" he asks. "You'd better get on going! I need a lot of sleep if I'm going to be the town's best mayor!" He heads upstairs. The three of you step out onto the street. "He could be faking it," you whisper, gesturing to the remote in your pocket. "Better grab the rest just to be safe." "Let's take it to Ms. Forest to reverse-engineer!" Sam says. "Then we can brainwash the mayor for certain!" Ella says. As Sam and Ella lift the metal thingy into your wagon, you realize that it's seven PM and you're still not home. Oh, well. At least you sold all your cookies. ''THE END'' [[Start over?|Untitled Passage]]] (else:) [You and the mayor dive for the remote at the same time. Unfortunately, the mayor gets there first. Pointing the remote at you, he presses its big red button. Your mind goes blank. "You will be my loyal servant," the mayor cackles. Sounds like a great idea. ''THE END'' [[Try again?|Untitled Passage]]]"What if you get injured on the job? Or worse, killed? What will your family think?" "What if //you// get killed?" Ella asks. "I know it will be horrible for my family too, but it's different for me. You don't have the same Forest Scout training I do. You won't be as prepared." Ms. Forest finishes dusting off the memory wiper. She points it at Sam and Ella, then pushes the button. Their eyes glaze over as they instantly forget the events of the last ten minutes. "Goodbye now, girls," she tells them, and they stroll out the door. "[[Now if you'll just follow me to the basement...]]""Just look at all the harm you've caused!" you scream. Sam and Ella gasp as one. "What do you mean, harm?" Sam asks. "We were just having fun," Ella says. "But what about all the collateral damage!" you practically yell. "Remember the prank with the yarmulke glue? Steven Parker's finger is still stuck in his nostril to this day! And what about the whipped-cream-filled whoopee cushions on the teachers' lounge chairs? Not to mention all the victims of the hamster incident." "I'm sure they enjoyed it just as much as us," Sam says. "No they didn't!" "Do you think we should just stop having fun?" Ella asks. [[Yes, because I hate fun and I hate you!]] [[Not really. Ever heard of karma?]]She firmly shuts the door in your face. "Come back when you've sold all your cookies," she says. (if: $visitedHouse2 is true and $visitedHouse3 is true)["But I tried!" you cry. "I tried so hard and no one would buy them! It's not my fault, I swear!" Tears erupt from your eyes as you turn your head skywards. "I'm sorry, Desiree, but that's not an excuse," Ms. Forest says. "You can always earn that merit badge next year." ''THE END'' [[Try again?|Untitled Passage]]] (else:)[ [[You decide to follow her instructions|Start]] ]"What's that?" Ella asks. "I hope it's a disease that gives you weird bumps," Sam says. "Maybe in certain cases. Basically, people who help others deserve good things, and people who harm others deserve to be harmed in return." "So we can only prank bad people?" Ella asks. "Got it," you reply. "Sounds like a great idea," Sam says. "But why can't we prank good people?" "Because they don't like it. Think about it. Would you like being the target of one of your pranks?" Sam and Ella scrunch their faces up real hard for a few seconds, then relax. "Nope!" they say in unison. (set: $hasSamAndElla to true) "Glad we've come to an agreement. (if: $soldCookies is false) [Say, do you want to buy cookies now?" you ask. "We ran out of money," Ella says. "Then why don't you ask your parents?" you ask. "Dad! Mom! Come here!" Sam yells. Mr. Goldstein and Mrs. Wang rush to the door, intrigued expressions on their faces. "What's going on?" Mrs. Wang asks. "Do you want to buy some Forest Scout cookies?" you ask. [[Funds go towards improving the Forest Scouts.]] [[Funds go towards improving the neighborhood.]]] (else:) ["Let's go back to [[Ms. Forest|The house on the left]]]Ms. Forest's basement is bigger than your entire house. Your eye catches on first a shelf full of gadgets, then a supercomputer on a stand, then a pool in the corner, then... (if: $hasSamAndElla is true)["Your first mission is to take care of the mayor," Ms. Forest says, snapping you out of your daze. "He's built a mind-control device. With it, he has the power to brainwash every person in Brookeville. I need you three to stop him." Ms. Forest tosses you, Sam, and Ella each an utility belt. While they catch theirs effortlessly, yours bonks you on the head. As you click your belt into place, you notice a laser gun jammed in a right-hand-side holster. After five hours of obstacle courses, bomb defusing, hacking exercises, target practice, and underwater basket weaving, Ms. Forest declares basic training complete. "What about advanced training?" Sam asks. "Unfortunately, there's no time. You have to stop the mayor now." "On it!" says Ella. [[The three of you head over to the mayor's house.|Ending]] ] (else:) ["Your first mission is to take care of the mayor," Ms. Forest says, snapping you out of your daze. "He's built a mind-control device. With it, he has the power to brainwash every person in Brookeville. I need you to stop him." Ms. Forest tosses you an utility belt. Jumping up to catch it, you instead miss, and the belt bonks you on the head. As you click your belt into place, you notice a laser gun stuck in a holster on the right-hand side. After five hours of obstacle courses, bomb defusing, hacking exercises, target practice, and underwater basket weaving, Ms. Forest declares basic training complete. "What about advanced training?" you ask. "Unfortunately, there's no time. You have to stop the mayor now." "On it!" you say. [[You head over to the mayor's house.|Ending]] ]"Thanks for making my job easier," the mayor says. "I'll take all of them." He grabs his wallet off his shoe stand, pulls out five hundred dollars, and gives it to you. In return, you hand over the cookies two boxes at a time until your wagon is emptied. (set: $soldCookies to true) (set: $visitedHouse2 to true) [[What's that over there?]] [[Thanks! I've gotta go get my merit badge now. ]]Sam and Ella might be annoying little brats, but you've seen them wolf down cookies like it was their last meal. Besides, they've definitely earned a lot of money charging kids for pranks. You ring their doorbell. A second later, a water balloon plops onto your head and bursts, drenching you in lukewarm water. On the bright side, at least you're marginally cooler than before. Sam opens the door. Immediately after, Ella pops her torso out from around the corner. They're both dressed in their usual outfits; Sam is in her T-shirt and jean shorts and Ella is in her dress shirt, and, presumably, pleated skirt. [[Do you want to buy cookies?]] [[Never mind|Start]]Mayor McGuirk shows up in a T-shirt and a pair of jeans. Behind him, a metal device sits smack in the middle of his living room. "I see you're selling cookies," he says. "Want any?' you ask. [[They're delicious yet healthy!]] [[Proceeds go to the community!]]Ms. Forest opens the door. A short yet severe woman, she is clad in a troop leader's uniform. Her hair is piled atop her head in a tight bun. "Have you sold all your cookies yet?" she asks. (if:$soldCookies is false) [ [[No]] ] (else:) [ [[Yes]] ]"It means they're witty and quick-thinking." you continue. "Important traits in a secret agent. Also, look at how loyal they are to each other! They're not only stepsisters but best friends as well. Not to mention their determination. When these two girls come up with a prank idea, they'll stop at nothing to execute it. They might not be Forest Scouts, but they're just as loyal, determined, and smart." Ms. Forest looks up from dusting off her memory wiper. "Excellent points, but can they demonstrate it?" she asks, motioning Sam and Ella towards the door. Just then, her foot catches on a snare trap, and in one fluid moment she is hoisted into the air. Two nozzles rise from the floor, then alternate squirting her with mayonnaise and chocolate syrup. This will be //such// a nightmare to clean up. You make a mental note to ask Sam and Ella to help do so. "Is this your doing?" Ms. Forest asks. "It certainly wasn't Desiree's," Sam says. "Yeah, look at how grossed out she is!" Ella exclaims. The two girls high-five each other. Ms. Forest unties herself, backflips onto her feet, then presses the lion taming badge on her sash. With a whirr, a metal door next to the fireplace slides open. A maid robot rolls in, vacuum hands at the ready. So much for teaching responsibility. "Well, Samantha and Eleanor, even though I might have been the butt of the joke, I am still quite impressed by your cleverness. I hereby declare you honorary Forest Scouts. [[Now if you'll just follow me to the basement...]]"You receive a first-hand lesson on spectroscopy when the laser barely makes a dent in the thingy. "Ah ha ha ha!" the mayor laughs. The remote is in his hand again. You can do nothing but stand there helplessly as (if: $hasSamAndElla is true) [first Sam, then Ella, then ] (else:)[]you are brainwashed into his loyal servant(if: $hasSamAndElla is true)[s]. ''THE END'' [[Start over?|Untitled Passage]]There's a KER-BLAM!!! as the remote explodes in a shower of metal and sparks. "My remote!" the mayor yells. "I spent the whole day building that!" (if: $hasSamAndElla is true) [Sam and Ella each pull a pair of handcuffs out of their belts, then cuff the mayor to themselves. As the three of you drag the mayor back to Ms. Forest's house, you realize that it's seven PM and you're still not home. Oh, well. At least you sold all your cookies.] (else:) [You pull a pair of handcuffs out of your belt, then cuff the mayor to yourself. As you drag the mayor back to Ms. Forest's house, you realize that it's seven PM and you're still not home. Oh, well. At least you sold all your cookies.] ''THE END'' [[Start Over?|Untitled Passage]]You stand smack in the middle of Oak Drive, lugging behind you a wagon full of Forest Scout cookies. The summer heat bombards your brow. Not only are the pits of your uniform stained with sweat, it also drips into your eyes. You should sell cookies to: [[The house on the left]] (if: $visitedHouse2 is false) [ [[The house in the middle]] ] (if: $visitedHouse3 is false) [ [[The house on the right]] ]You turn around and walk towards [[the house on the left|The house on the left]].This is Mayor McGuirk's house. More of a mansion, really, with its alabaster columns and sprawling front porch. You're sure the mayor has plenty of money to spare, and, besides, who on earth doesn't like cookies? [[Go back|Start]] [[Ring his doorbell]]That house belongs to Sylvia Forest, the Forest Scouts' troop leader (the last name is a coincidence). (if: $soldCookies is false) [Selling her cookies would just be redundant.] [[Ring her doorbell]] (if: $soldCookies is false) [ [[Go back|Start]]]Absolutely not! That is the home of Samantha Goldstein and Eleanor Wang, the biggest troublemakers in town. [[Go back|Start]] (if: $soldCookies is false) [ [[Ring the bell anyways]]] (else:) [ [[Call them out for being jerks|Maybe I wouldn't be a snitch if you weren't so destructive.]]]"Sorry, I can't," the mayor says. "I'm allergic to gluten." "We have gluten-free options," you offer, digging around in your wagon to produce a gray box of Celi-tacks. "Also free of sugar, fat, sodium, artificial flavoring, and natural flavoring." "No thanks," the mayor replies. (set: $visitedHouse2 to true) [[Dejected, you decide to survey the block's other houses|Start]].(set: $soldCookies to false) (set: $hasSamAndElla to false) (set: $visitedHouse2 to false) (set: $visitedHouse3 to false) What are the odds almost everyone in Brookeville is on a budget? Like, at the same time? Seriously? There's not even a recession going on. At this rate you'll never get your merit badge. [[At least there's three houses left.|Start]][[Credits]]"That's a mind control device. I plan on using it to make everyone in Brookeville serve my every whim, one person at a time. Let me demonstrate." He pulls a remote from his pocket and presses it. Your mind goes blank. "You will be my loyal servant," the mayor says. Sounds like a good idea. ''THE END'' [[Try again?|Untitled Passage]](if: $hasSamAndElla is true)["Who are these girls with you?" Ms. Forest asks. "They don't look like Forest Scouts." "We're not," Sam says. "We're her friends," Ella says. "I'm Ella and she's Sam." "You should leave," Ms. Forest says. "This isn't about you." "We can be trusted," Sam says. "Please just let them stay for now," you say. "Okay," Ms. Forest says, readying her memory wiper. "Congratulations, Desiree Barnes! For selling ten thousand boxes of cookies over your lifetime, you shall receive your thousandth merit badge." She hands over your badge, and the second it touches your fingers you beam with pride. You whip out your trusty pocket sewing kit and speed-stitch it to your sash, sandwiching it between your BASE jumping and fugu preparation badges. "I'm so proud of you for earning one thousand patches," Ms. Forest says. "Only one other Forest Scout in Brookeville has accomplished this so far." "That's you, right?" Ella asks. "How did you know?" Ms. Forest replies. "Every time someone shares a third-person anecdote about some unusual event, it's always about them." Sam says. "Touche," Ms. Forest replies. "Onto secret agent training now." "Secret what training?" Ella asks. "Every Forest Scout who earns one thousand badges gets trained to be a secret agent." "Can we join?" Ella asks. "Sorry, it's for Forest Scouts only." "But we're so good at pranks!" Sam exclaims. "I agree," Ms. Forest says."The hamster incident still brings me to fits of laughter very day. But you're still not Forest Scouts," [[Sam and Ella should be secret agents too. Their skill at pranking might be useful.]] [[I agree with Ms. Forest. It's too dangerous for you to become secret agents.]] ] (else:) ["Congratulations, Desiree Barnes!" Ms. Forest says. "For selling ten thousand boxes of cookies over your lifetime, you shall receive your thousandth merit badge." She hands over your badge, and the second it touches your fingers you beam with pride. You whip out your trusty pocket sewing kit and speed-stitch it to your sash, sandwiching it between your BASE jumping and fugu preparation badges. "I'm so proud of you for earning one thousand patches," Ms. Forest says. "Only one other Forest Scout in Brookeville has accomplished this so far." "Who was it?" you ask. "Me!" You're not //that// surprised by this revelation; Ms. Forest is a total boss. "Onto secret agent training now." "Oh, //that's// what happens," you reply. Guess all those rumors had a grain of truth to them. You're a bit disappointed you won't become a were-mermaid, though. "[[Now if you'll just follow me to the basement...]]"]Sam slams the door in your face. "Oh, well," you say to yourself, [[deciding to survey the block's other houses.|Start]] (set: $visitedHouse3 to true)"You're right," Sam says, sounding as if the words were causing her physical pain. "I mean, we already have a lot of cookies, but we could have so many more!" "Unfortunately, we spent the last of our prank money on that auto-caricaturizer," Ella adds. "And then it started drawing Dennis Quaid over and over again and we had to put it in storage." "Then why don't you ask your parents?" you ask. "Dad! Mom! Come here!" Sam yells. Mr. Goldstein and Mrs. Wang rush to the door, intrigued expressions on their faces. "What's going on?" Mrs. Wang asks. "Do you want to buy some Forest Scout cookies?" you ask. [[Funds go towards improving the Forest Scouts.]] [[Funds go towards improving the neighborhood.]]