Novels2Search

Chapter 4

It took Bahliah a minute to realize two things. She couldn't do anything with the game and she sat in the back of a limo with Jessi across from her. Just sitting there sent memories flooding back and they were forced into a cutscene.

She was scrolling through her newsfeed to numb her mind and selected a gaming article. Jessi was using her compact mirror to check his hair and beard again.

He was dressed to impress and it had taken hours to find just the right suit. She was certain Jessi would impress her parents, but she still fretted over her father's choice of words when it came to what Jessi should wear.

"He should wear something that represents his culture." He had said over text.

She snorted, hoping he wouldn't realize that Jessi's culture could best be described as "swinger playboy".

"Wait!" Bahliah exclaimed as she reached forward to snag to sunglasses from his front pocket. She put it in the booze compartment.

"There. Perfect." She sighed. "Okay, we're almost there."

Jessi eyed where his glasses were but said nothing about them. Instead, he passed the mirror back to her before fishing in another pocket. He held up a tiny baggie with a few tiny pills in it. He grinned as he spoke.

"OK, Chandni, time to take your joy now."

Bahliah tried not to wince at Jessi's hindi, though it had gotten better.

"No, Jessi. Focus please!"

It was too late. He'd already taken his and washed it down with his whiskey. He held out a pill for her. As if knowing what she'd say, he cut her off.

"I'm not reciting your rules until you take the chill pill, Bahliah."

The world paused as Bahliah's decision popped up and they were finally given control from the cutscene.

[

Bahliah: Woah!

Jessi: holy shit!

Jessi: i did not expect that transition

Jessi: dammit im sober again

]

The two looked around the limo, able to move freely again.

Naturally Jessi went right for the whiskey bottle. His hand went right through it.

Meanwhile Bahliah was looking at the article on the tablet, which featured a conservatively dress black woman with short dreads. The title read The Museum of Lost Cultures. Something commemorating the Great Disconnect.

[

Jessi: thats bs

Bahliah: huh, that game is mega popular now

Jessi: gimme my whiskey

Jessi: pls

]

He looked at the baggie of pills. It was hovering in the air where he'd been holding it.

[

Jessi: nothing like some extra confidence

Bahliah: I wonder if this is when it went wrong. Maybe I should have taken this more seriously.

Jessi: hey, it went fine before

Bahliah: finger snap emoji

Jessi: ok, well how would you like it to go?

]

Morty reappeared, his red eyebrows wiggling in excitement.

[

Morty: Welcome to this new mode!

Morty: It has some new mechanics and more freedom.

Morty: You have the ability to play, pause, forward, and rewind the game at any point.

]

A set of basic playback controls appeared at the bottom of their vision.

[

Morty: In this mode, you can interact with the game controls with the Command function to rewind.

Morty: Be careful though! You can only rewind so many times.

Morty: Give it a try now, Bahliah!

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 0/1

]

The world abruptly sprang into motion, backwards. It got to the point where Jessi was reaching in to take his pill and automatically stopped.

[

Choose an option

Take the bag - Triggers Opposition

Do nothing

Morty: Sometimes you and other players will disagree about how to continue.

Morty: In that case, an Opposition roll will be made to determine who's action succeeds.

Bahliah: Command: Take the bag

]

The world flashed into motion for a brief moment as Bahliah's hand reached out to snatch the pills. Then It paused again, prompting Jessi.

[ Choose an option:

Hold on to the bag. Triggers Opposition

Let go of the bag

Jessi: aw hell no

Command: Hold on to the bag

Opposition triggered!

Bahliah: 75

Jessi: 69

Bahliah wins!

Jessi: my fav number!

Jessi: damn

Jessi: you always win…

Bahliah: all's right with the world ;)

]

Bahliah snatched the pills from Jessi's grasp. She placed them with the sunglasses. Jessi appeared to be pouting.

The world froze again as Morty’s text appeared in chat.

[

Morty: Good job!

Morty: When the game is paused, you can interact with the environment for information that may help you out.

Morty: Use Command: inspect to find out what secrets are held.

]

Jessi's left pocket glowed.

[

Jessi: Command: inspect left pocket

]

Jessi felt in his pocket and an inventory appeared. There was one item, a pack of flash cards. A codex description showed him the first card.

[

Top Flash Card:

Bahliah’s Rules

1. Don't talk about Jessica

2. Don't speak about Jessica

3. Don't converse about Jessica

1 of 56

]

Jessi looked around the limo a moment, longing staring at the liquor.

[

Jessi: Command: Resume

]

“My future depends on tonight.” Bahliah took a swig of the whiskey. “What do you not do?"

[

Choose an option:

Recite the rules

Fuck with her

Jessi: Command: Fuck with her

]

Jessi sat back in his seat with an exaggerated sigh. He held up three fingers as he spoke.

“Talk about Jessica, speak about Jessica, and, finally, you totally fucked Jessica."

"Jessi, I-" Bahliah started, but Jessi leaned forward with an intense look in his brown eyes.

"Don't even start again, Bahliah. I agreed to help you come out to your parents, but I did not agree to lie to them." The limo pulled up to the condo tower. "I know you've got a million plans for this, so just ditch them and pick the truth."

The limo came to a stop at the entrance to the apartment tower door. A door man hurried over, opening the limo door for them. Jessi slid out, turned around, and offered his hand to help Bahliah out.

The game paused automatically as Bahliah was presented with a prompt. Morty spoke up once more.

[

Morty: Your progress will be saved after each scene.

Morty: Make sure you're happy with your choices before continuing.

Morty: Once saved, you'll need to use CC to reset your decisions to the default choices.

Morty: That's all I've got for now

Morty: Have fun, buttercups!

]

Morty once again disappeared,finally allowing them full control over the game.

[

Choose an option:

Promise to tell the truth

Lie to Jessi

Ignore Jessi

Warning: This decision will end the scene. Your progress will be saved.

0/1 Rewinds remaining

To proceed,select an option or use the Exit command to leave the game.

Jessi: damn, forgot how pissed i was at you that morning…

Jessi: wasn't it like Plan A to ZZ?

Bahliah: Command: Ignore Jessi

Jessi: bitch please

Bahliah: just trying out different options to see what happens

Jessi: right…

]

Jessi and Bahliah went up the marble stairs as the limo pulled away. At the top were double doors, which the door man opened for them.

They stepped in, then immediately turned right toward the elevator. She opened it with a key card from her purse. They entered the elevator, then hit the penthouse floor.

The elevator doors opened to the Ganesh family's private lobby. Bahliah's mother's touch was very present in the place, as evidenced by the pieces depicting various Indian ditties. There were also fresh hibiscus flowers. A servant was waiting to take their coats, while another brought a tray with wine.

“Excuse me, madam and sir,” the woman with the tray said, looking at Bahliah primarily. “Your parents had an unexpected board meeting. If you please, they'd like you to enjoy this while you wait. They send their apologies.”

Jessi gladly took a glass. He took a sip. “Oh? They picked an American wine. It's been barrel-aged. Very nice.”

The servant with the tray nodded, saying, “Yes sir, Mr. Smit - the hostess picked that out to make you feel more welcome. Given your fondness for whiskey.” She winked. Then she backed away, setting the tray on a side table.

[

Jessi: here it is, some of the best wine ive had

Jessi: twice in one day

Jessi: that stuff was expensive! Only a few bottles floating around these days

]

“How does she know I like whiskey?” Jessi asked Bahliah softly.

“That's the least of what they know about you,” She replied quietly. “I've been trying to tell you all week.”

[

Jessi: hey, can't we free-roam when paused?

Jessi: come to papa!

Jessi: Command: Pause

]

As if being watched by Bahliah's parents, Jessi took a tentative step towards the table that held the highlighted bottle of wine. The servant and world stayed still and he covered the distance quickly to the bottle.

[

Jessi: Command: inspect the bottle

Jessis’ Favorite Wine:

Legacy Horizon Reserve is an American wine from February 2020. This particular wine, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and an adventurous spirit, reflects the diversity and ingenuity of the era. It boasts a vibrant bouquet of ripe berries and hints of oak, a testament to the fruitful vineyards and skilled winemakers of the time.

]

Triumphantly, he grabbed the bottle, glad his hand did not pass through it. He poured another glass. Turning back to Bahliah, Jessi held up the bottle to her.

[

Jessi: fuck yea!

Jessi: want more? it refills!

]

She hesitated only a moment before grabbing the bottle. Betraying her lady-like appearance, Bahliah drank directly from it. She took several long gulps and belched.

[

Jessi: so butch, boo.

Bahliah: Probably the only belch to grace this place…

Jessi: too bad I can't have a refilling wine bottle in RL

Bahliah: Think it'll revert when we hit play?

]

At that point Bahliah saw a painting she remembered well. It was highlighted.

[

Bahliah: Command inspect the painting

A Ganesh Family Portrait:

Lady Ganesh proudly commissioned this portrait after the great cyber attack of 2042 in which her daughter survived. Due to political and technological advancements in the workforce, only 3% of the India population survived and many turned away from technology to embrace the older traditions.

Bahliah: I hate this painting

Bahliah: It reminds me of who we lost

Bahliah: Plus I had to stand still for fucking ever!

]

Bahliah eyed the heavy bottle in her hand and looked above the table where the family portrait hung. She flashed Jessi a wicked grin. Then hurled the bottle at it.

The bottle shattered as it collided with the canvas, splattering the painting, table, and wall with red wine. The canvas hung tattered for a second before falling from the wall to the ground.

[

Jessi: feel better?

Bahliah: Oh hellz yas!

Jessi: Command: Resume

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

]

The game instantly snapped back to the state it had been in previously. Jessi and Bahliah were pulled back to their spots with a stomach dropping lurch.

The servant to the side moved forward to open the doors and the two stepped into a large formal sitting room, though it kept with the modern architecture. Floor to ceiling windows looked out over the Bay with access to a balcony.

From the left, an older woman came hurrying out to greet them. Streaked black and white braided hair came down most of her back. Fine wrinkles marred a bright face. She seemed to carry herself better than the other servants.

“Nona!” cried Bahliah in a higher voice than normal.

“Anak! How good to see you.” The woman spread her arms and Bahliah rushed forward to be hugged.

After they separated, Bahliah gestured to make introductions.

[

Jessi: i don't need your creepy Asian aunt eying me like chicken on a stick

Bahliah: Be jealous just cause you haven't had her chicken on a stick.

Jessi: Command: Fast Forward

Warning: A Decision Point is available. Would you like to keep your original decisions for this segment? Both players must agree or Opposition triggers.

Agree/Disagree

Jessi: god yes

Bahliah: But…

Jessi: Command: Agree

Bahliah: Command: Disagree

Opposition Triggered:

Bahliah: 3

Jessi: 42

Jessi wins!

Jessi: booyah!

]

The world zipped by, the faux couple sitting on the couch as Nona stood and they talked. It slowed down after a time.

Nona pulled out an ancient 2024 flip phone.

“Ah, your parents are ready. They do apologize for the wait. Dinner will be served shortly. Shall I bring you two to greet your parents?”

The world paused. A prompt appeared for Jessi.

[

Choose an option:

Extend your arm

Walk in separate

Jessi: lets do dis

Jessi: Command: Extend your arm

]

Resuming the game, Jessi held out his arm to Bahliah. Nona moved fast for her age, already ahead and opening the dining room door.

"Shall we, love?"

Taking Jessi's offered arm, she leaned in, as if snuggle close, but whispering for only Jessi to hear.

[

Choose an option:

Warn him

Say nothing

Warning: This decision will end the scene. Your progress will be saved.

2/2 Rewinds remaining

To proceed,select an option or use the Exit command to leave the game.

Bahliah: Command: Warn him

]

"And don't mention Jessica." Bahliah hissed into his ear as the servant opened the door.

The two stepped forward to Bahliah's parents. Everyone did their Namaste's. Her father reached his hand toward Jessi, “Raj Ganesh, at your service.”

“Jessi Smit at yours,” Jessi said, shaking his hand.

Bahliah's mom also shook his hand after hugging Bahliah. “Maryam Samira Ganesh,” she said as they shook. Bahliah also hugged her father in turn.

They began small talk.

[

Jessi: ugh

Jessi: Command: Fast-Forward

Warning: A Decision point is available. Would you like to keep your original decisions for this segment? Both players must agree or Opposition triggers.

Agree/Disagree

Bahliah: Jessi…

Jessi: fiiine

Jessi: Agree

Bahliah: Agree

]

The conversation blazed past comically until the servants were bringing in the soup. Then everything slowed back down automatically.

Jessi was finished with his wine, he noticed mournfully. He hadn't even tasted the last bit.

"Would you like some coconut feni?” Bahliah’s father asked.

[

Choose an option:

Sip the feni

Shoot the feni

Decline the feni

Bahliah: Jessi….

Jessi: oh here it goes

Jessi: it's just a game bruh

Jessi: and it's a godsend

Jessi: Command: Shoot the feni

]

Jessi took the glass, which was served neat. They had apparently chilled it, as it was very cold when he took the cup.

It was not a shot glass, but Jessi effortlessly drained it at a gulp, placing the glass back on the tray it had come on. Bahliah's mom gave a little frown, but her dad smiled and said, “bottoms up!” and finished his too.

[

Bahliah: Seriously?

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 2/3

]

The game jumped back to Raj filling the cup for Jessi and Bahliah’s rewind prompt appeared.

[

Choose an option:

Stop Jessi - Triggers Opposition

Ignore it

Ask for your own

Bahliah: Command: Stop Jessi

Opposition Triggered:

Bahliah: 89

Jessi: 87

Bahliah wins!

]

As Jessi gladly took the chilled glass and raised it to shoot the glorious liquid, Bahliah kicker out with her foot under the table. The heel connected sharply with his shin and he let out a cry of pain, causing him to jerk his arms and sending the coconut feni to splash on Maryam.

A look of horror came over Bahliahs face, realizing the garb her mother wore was a vintage outfit from her grandmother.

Maryam blinked before glaring at Bahliah, clearly identifying the culprit.

[

Bahliah: Oh no!

Bahliah: She's gonna kill me

Jessi: bitch, that hurt!

Jessi: im bleeding

Jessi: and the feni was wasted!

Jessi: alcohol abuse!

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 1/3

Bahliah: Command: ignore it

]

Having reset to their first decision, the game continued on with Raj speaking.

“Ah, now we are warmed up a bit. I'll get down to the heart of the matter. Jessi, what are your intentions for my daughter?”

[

Jessi; fuck

Jessi; forgot how fast they started into me

Bahliah; I did warn you!

Choose an option:

Answer honestly

Inspect flash card: Plan J

]

The game paused naturally. Jessi took the chance to look around the room. He ignored his glowing pocket in favor of a object highlighted on the side bar. It was jarring with the chic decor and looked like a school trophy.

[

Jessi: Command: inspect trophy

A 1st place trophy:

Bahliah’s father proudly displayed his daughters achievement, despite his wife's decor choices. Bahliah won this first place at the World Turing Fair of 2038. She made a robot that cleaned her keyboards. It removes, vacuums, and replaced the keys after each gaming session.

Jessi: aww!

Jessi: daddy luvs u!

Jessi: and so do i!

Jessi: <3 <3

Jessi: yass emojis!

Jessi; Command: Answer honestly

]

Jessi leaned forward in his chair, “To be honest, sir, while I love your daughter, it's more as a sister. I'm here to support her.”

Raj's face went though a range of emotions. It settled on confused.

“So… Are you…?”

[ Bahliah: Nah, bruh. It's just a game

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 0/3

]

The world quickly went back to Jessi's decision. Bahliah had an action of her own.

[

Choose an option:

Butt in - Triggers Opposition

Say nothing

Bahliah: Command: Butt in

]

Time briefly resumed as both Jessi and Bahliah opened their mouths to speak.

[

Choose an option:

Tell the truth - triggers Opposition

Let her speak

Jessi: Command: Tell the truth

Opposition Triggered:

Bahliah: 61

Jessi: 42

Bahliah wins!

Jessi: again?!

]

Jessi closed his mouth and looked down. Bahliah rose up in her seat and addressed Raj.

“Father, you are being so old fashioned! Why don't you ask me what my intentions are toward him?”

Raj barked a laugh.

“I see, my daughter is headstrong as usual. Very well, what are your intentions toward Jessi, devika?”

Bahliah now had a prompt and the flash cards were once again highlighted.

[

Bahliah: Command: Inspect Flash card: Plan DD

Flash Card: Plan DD:

Traditional Values

1. Duty and responsibility to family

2. Value cultural and religious traditions

3. Maintain gender roles

29 of 56

Choose an option:

Come clean

Plan DD

Bahliah: Command: Plan DD

]

“I want Jessi to be the father of my sons!” Bahliah exclaimed passionately. “I want him to make love to me and give me many children, and grow old with him. That's what I want.”

[

Bahliah: Omg no

Jessi: ROFLMAO!!

Jessi: this is so much better than I was expected

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Error: You have used your rewinds for this scene.

Bahliah: Are you shitting me? Ugh…

]

“Well…” Maryam said. “That is quite direct of you dear.

Raj drained his newly filled feni.

“Nevertheless, the question was directed at your young man. What does my daughter mean to you, Jessi?”

[

Choose an option:

Professor Love

Answer honestly

Jessi: is that a typo

Jessi: i kinda luv it

Jessi: Command: Professor Love

]

At this point Jessi wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

“Before everything else, Bahliah will always be my best friend. I love her. We are imminently compatible. As a professor of relationship success, I can confirm that we are a match based on all of the relevant statistics.”

[

Jessi: i think the game is trolling us

Bahliah: No.

Bahliah:No.

Bahliah: NononoNO!

Jessi: *evil face emoji*

]

Maryam’s smile froze. She slowly lifted her cup to her smiling lips and drank, teeth showing all the while.

The tension in the room rose and Jessi raised his cup for a refill of the feni. Raj refilled it, but this time Jessi sipped it.

By this time they had finished their soup. The next course came. It was tandoori chicken and fresh Naan bread, dripping with ghee. There was also vegetable pakora. Conversation stalled as they dug in.

The chicken was smokey from the charcoal oven it had been cooked in, and had some heat. The naan was both fluffy and crispy. The chef for Bahliah's family prepared humble food with amazing technique. Very traditional.

They made small talk as the kheer was brought in. Rather than rose water, the rice pudding was flavored with some kind of liquor. It was delicious, and cooled down the spice from the chicken.

“Has she told you how we met?” jessi asked, taking Bahliah’s hand again. "What was it? Four months ago yesterday?”

This time the prompt appeared for Bahliah.

[

Choose an option:

Tell the truth

Inspect Flash card: Plan F

Bahliah: Command: Inspect Flash card: Plan F

Flash Card: Plan F:

Beans & Brews story

1. Ran into each other and spilled coffee (Jessis' fault!)

2. Jessi sees my Yoga butt (shake my bootie!)

3. Down with AristoGlam (how is she still popular?)

9 of 56

Bahliah: Ha! I remember this one!

Bahliah; Probably my most believable plan

Jessi: all I know is there was no yoga bootie…

Choose an option:

Tell the truth

Plan F

Bahliah: Command: Plan F

]

Bahliah clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes sparkling.

“It all started with coffee, you see. We both went to that cafe on 3rd. I would get my cinnamon raspberry latte and he would get an espresso. One day we actually ran into each other, and his drink spilled on me. He offered to pay for the dry cleaning, of course.”

Here she giggled.

“We met at the dry cleaning place later that day. I was in my yoga clothes - remember Yoga Devi?” Not waiting for their nod she continued, knowing they'd watched all her videos. “He took one look and nearly burst a blood vessel!”

[

Choose an option:

Let Bahliah continue

Join Plan F

Change topic

Jessi: a blood vessel?

Jessi: might have busted something else…

Jessi: this is pretty cringe so im gonna take over

Bahliah: Don't you dare

Bahliah: You know what, on second thought this is so fucked. Go ahead

Jessi: Command: Join Plan F

]

“And, this is where things get crazy." Jessi chimed in.

“At least we can laugh about it now, especially now that you've joined the 21st century." Bahliah finally drank some of her wine from earlier.

“You see, Bahliah and I were off to the side when in storms AristoGlam - Bahliahs nemesis at the time. This girl proceeds to scream at the clerk. Full on influencer tantrum.”

Bahliah giggled as she took back over.

[

Bahliah: Can I please stop giggling like that?

Jessi: aw but it's cute

]

“She didn't notice me, so I started recording her. I ended up catching Jessi's reaction to it." She dawned on “Oh" face and grabbed her phone. “I've still got the reel! I couldn't post it because-”

“I don't have social media."Jessi filled in the rest of her sentence with a dramatic eye roll. “Bahliahs got me on it now, but at least she's lessened her presence online.”

Maryam nodded with a smile, “She has always been glued to a phone. We never had to wonder what going on with her because she would post it. Every scraped knee. You're the first boy she's brought home though.” She nodded at Jessi.

She looked at Bahliah, “We were starting to think she didn't like them,” she said with a laugh.

[

Choose an option:

Come clean

Play it off

Inspect Flash card: Plan ZZ

Warning: This decision will end the scene. Your progress will be saved.

0/3 Rewinds remaining

To proceed,select an option or use the Exit command to leave the game.

Jessi; not that this isn't fun, but…

Jessi; are we gonna get to the point?

Bahliah: I kinda want to see the other side of this conversation

Bahliah: It's just a game, remember?

Bahliah: Command: Inspect Flash card: Plan ZZ

Flash Card: Plan ZZ

Q: Why does Bahliah never bring males home?

A: Say what Allie says, “You just need the right guy!"

53 of 56

]

Bahliah giggled, and said, “I don't date boys, I date men.”

“Have you always?” Her father asked with a frown.

“Not like that,” she said. “I just had to find the right man.” She snuggled Jessi's arm.

[

Bahliah: Gag. This is what I get for trying out the other side.

Jessi: ill show you gagging

]

“Well, our biggest concern is that he makes you happy,” Maryam said in a strained voice.

“He does, mother,” Bahlight said.

Bahliah’s father nodded slowly, eyeing his wife for a reaction. Maryam face didn't give away her her thoughts though.

It became clear conversation was winding down, and Jessi hit the fast-forward. The game jumped forward, speeding through the last of dinner. All of them stood and the servants comically cleared the table and the family moved into a sitting room.

Bahliah and Jessi sat together across from Raj and Maryam with a carved mahogany sofa table between the couples. A servant was pouring coffee for them all.

They drank their coffee, which was excellent. It wasn't exactly like filter kaapi, but it still was flavored with chickory.

Maryam got out a three-ring binder and placed it on the table. Casually, she plucked out a piece of paper.

[

Jessi: here it comes

Bahliah: Please behave.

Jessi: yawn

]

“This came across my desk. There's a Jessica McCoy who says she knows you, Bahliah. She's applying for a fashion designer position.”

Bahliah froze.

[

Choose an option:

Recommend Jessica

Inspect Flash card: Plan J-b

Bahliah: Command: Inspect Flash card: Plan J-b

Emergency - Jessica brought up

1. Do not panic - Mother will sense your fear!

2. Stay close to the truth - met at Netcon 44

3. Change the subject ASAP! - Don't make it obvious!!

13 of 56

Jessi: ha!

Jessi: ur mom knew before she asked

Bahliah: Wish there were more choices

Bahliah: Recommend Jessica

]

Bahliah didn't have to think about it too hard. She just had to keep calm and hope Jessi would keep his mouth shut this time.

“Yeah, she's a friend of mine. We met once at Netcon ‘44 - she does awesome fan art. I bet she'd be a great designer!”

Maryam smiled at Bahliah's words. “I see. We will have to give her a chance then.”

Jessi's prompt showed up.

[ Choose an option:

Talk about Jessica

Say nothing

Bahliah: Don't screw with me

Jessi: fiiine

Jessi: im bored

Jessi: are we done yet?!!

Jessi: yolo biatch!

Jessi: Command: Talk about Jessica

Bahliah: You ass!

Bahliah: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 1/2

Jessi: Command: Rewind

Rewinds remaining: 0/2

Jessi: Command: Talk about Jessica

Bahliah: Jessi!

Bahliah: No, stop!

Jessi: booyah

Jessi: take that!

Jessi: watch out

Jessi: hashtag keyboard warrior

]

Jessi felt smug for getting one over on Bahliah, but it turned to panic when he realized the game did not resume with his action.

[

Jessi: shit

Jessi: did I break the game?

Bahliah: I should let you think that

Bahliah: Look in the upper left side - system messages are there

]

Feeling relieved he hadn't broken the new toy, he found an envelope shaped icon to the left of the playback tray. It has the familiar red dot with a 13 in it. Opening it, he skimmed through. He didn't get far before going to the newest one at the bottom.

[ Messages

13 Unread

Feb-2 - Welcome to Antique Horizon!

Feb-2 - Pre-order Special: 25CC has been added

Feb-2 - Morty sent you 10CC!

Feb-2 - Bahliah added you as a friend

….

Feb-3 - Home System Alert: Your kitchen window is open

Feb-3 - Home System Alert: Walmazen delivery driver is at the door

Bahliah: Oh! Look! Lilly is here with my new home automation thingie!

Jessi: you buy shit from there just to see her

Bahliah: Well, not *just* for that reason!

Bahliah: I want to check it out!

Jessi: you mean check her out

Bahliah: Wanna come back to this?

Jessi: sure, I need to preparty more anyway

Bahliah: Command Exit

Jessi: Command Exit

]

At this a message popped up:

[ Are you sure you want to quit? Decisions from the current scene will be procedurally determined. Changes may take up to 24 hours to take effect

Jessi: yeah whatever

Jessi: Command: Yes

Bahliah: Command: Yes

]