This excerpt is presented first as a sample script demonstrating one possible pathway and then as a flowchart. This is a simple script with no adaptive text and minimal branching; for examples of more complex scripts, see The Doctor and The Urchins. Illustrations by Rowan Pippin, used with permission.
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Sample Script
DR. GREEN: We are about to make astronomical history, and you are here to witness it.
INTERN BOWEN: I want a commemorative mug. Or one of those rolled-out pennies.
The four of you are clustered around the viewscreen of a rusty, dented telescope held together with duct tape, Popsicle sticks, and a combination of prayer and black magic.
PLAYER: Are we sure the old telescope is up to it?
ENGINEER FARAWAY: It should work. Just don’t rotate it too fast. Or move it more than 48 degrees to starboard. Or breathe on it.
Dr. Green is practically vibrating with excitement.
DR. GREEN: It took me weeks to work out the calculations, but I’m finally going to get a sighting of that uncharted meteor! Is it too soon to decide what to name it? I’m gonna name it after my dog.
PLAYER: Well, let’s get started!
Agonizingly slowly, the telescope swings around with a groan of stressed metal.
DR. GREEN: See anything yet?
DR. GREEN: How about now?
INTERN BOWEN: Still stars.
DR. GREEN: Now?
INTERN BOWEN: Wait, hang on, there’s something. Is your meteor red?
DR. GREEN: I don’t…think so?
The telescope screen comes into focus. A red sports car is floating in the middle of open space.
INTERN BOWEN: Aaaaaand it’s Elon Musk’s space Tesla.
ENGINEER FARAWAY: Predictable, really.
DR. GREEN: I don’t understand. I did the calculations three times! What else can I try?
PLAYER: Try adjusting the plane of focus.
DR. GREEN: Oh–of course! The comet is millions of miles behind the Tesla. It’s just blocking the view!
She adjusts the focus. With a painful creak of metal on metal, the car on the viewscreen goes out of focus and another shape begins to appear.
DR. GREEN: I think I see something! No, wait. No, yes! There’s something there! It’s a–
CLUNK. The telescope console goes to static.
ENGINEER FARAWAY: What did you do??
DR GREEN: I didn’t do anything!
PLAYER: Kick it!
Satisfying, but ineffective. Still static. Faraway looks out the window.
ENGINEER FARAWAY: Oh, wow. Yeah, it is definitely not supposed to bend like that. That is one broke telescope.
PLAYER: Nice one, Green.
DR. GREEN: I didn’t do anything! I wasn’t even near it!
ENGINEER FARAWAY: Hardly matters. I’m gonna have to send away for parts from Earth. Again. And spend a million hours fixing it. Again. And that’s assuming it isn’t worse than it looks. And it’s always worse than it looks.
INTERN BOWEN: If anyone asks, I was in the bio lab the whole time.
PLAYER: I know that everyone here is sincerely committed to this station’s mission and we will all diligently work to find a solution to this problem.
The scientists look at each other. Then Faraway bursts out laughing. At least they’re amused?
You head back to your office.
