A Perfectly Ordinary Day

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<center> @@.story-title;A Perfectly Ordinary Day@@ @@.story-byline;by Michael Thomét@@ @@.story-title;[[Begin]]@@ </center>

Michael Thomét [[Restart->A Perfectly Ordinary Day]] <<if $fastMode eq false>><<checkbox "$fastMode" false true>><<else>><<checkbox "$fastMode" false true checked>><</if>> "Fast Mode"

Dani loves to drive. It doesn't matter how short a trip it is, she relishes every second of it. When Dani drives, she gets to go fast and experience the world at her own pace. Her own pace is about 60 miles per hour. Some days she'll just get on a highway going out of town, take in the sights, and clear her head. That's what she'd love to be doing right now, but instead, Dani's turning in to the drive of a bank. "It's just the bank, Dani," she tells herself as she begins the painstaking process of parking in a well-filled lot. "Get in. Deposit the cash. Get out. Just like every month." She finally finds a [[parking spot]] and parks.

<div id="examineBox" class="hidden" onclick="hideExamination()">Default info.</div>

<<widget "examine">><<replace "#examineBox">>$args[0]<</replace>><<run showExamination()>><</widget>>

<<click "TEST">><<examine "The book was a lonesome one, Dani remembered.">><</click>>

The bank is busy today. The drive-up ATM lines are closed, so the lines inside the bank are bound to be long. A bunch of people are waiting in their cars for the lone walk-up ATM, not wanting to stand out in the crisp November air. The bank's parking lot might not be so bad if it didn't share spaces with the café next door, itself packed with people seeking liquid warmth. Dani looks at the line of people inside the bank, and the impatient people waiting for the ATM. With a sigh, she tells herself, "Lot's of people in there. Medicine might be nice." She looks down at the <<click "glove box">><<examine "<<display 'glove box'>>">><</click>>.

Inside the glove box is a small bottle of yellow pills. Dani hates them. They make her slow and drowsy, but they act fast and she knows that they help her with dealing with people. "Should I?" she wonders. [[Take the medicine->take medicine]] or [[don't->no medicine]].

Dani's breath slows as the medicine kicks in. The people outside, once moving at a languid, predictable pace, rush forward twice as fast, then faster and faster until they race along nearly as fast as a car barreling down a street. Dani doesn't experience the world at everyone else's speed. She's fast, or everyone's just slow. But when she takes that medicine, the world gets faster. Faster people are easier to understand, but Dani doesn't like how they move. She's just not used to it. Taking a few deep breaths, Dani prepares herself for the [[bank|timing the self][$medicine to true]].

Dani closes the glove box. It's just the bank. She can handle it at this speed. Looking up and out of the car window, she notices a leaf floating by in the street. The leaf is a brown maple, and it wavers there, suspended by the wind. Dani believes that it will float on down the street and out of sight, but she doesn't want to get distracted by it. Dani doesn't experience the world at everyone else's speed. She's fast, or everyone's just slow. Things like that leaf will take ages to land, for Dani. Dani doesn't always have that kind of patience, but sometimes she finds it very meditative. For now, though, it's time to go to the [[bank|timing the self][$medicine to false]].

Dani puts her arm on her steering wheel and checks her watch. She focuses on the second hand and begins to time herself, counting off the seconds as they come. <<if $medicine eq true>><<display [[medicine timer]]>><<else>><<display [[no medicine timer]]>><</if>>

One. <<timed 2s>>Two. <<next>>Three. <<next>>Four. <<next>>Five. It's fast. Dani will get to move closer to her normal speed, but so will everyone else, and that's what makes this tough. <<display 'pedestrian choice'>> <</timed>>

One. <<timed 8s>>Two. <<next>>Three. <<next>>Four. <<next>>Five. Nice and regular. Dani has to move excruciatingly slow, but people are easy to predict this way. <<display 'pedestrian choice'>> <</timed>>

Looking up from her watch, Dani notices that a guy is crossing the street, making his way for the café next door. He looks nice, but is oblivious to the world, with his earphones in and his phone in his hand. A car has crested the hill and is making a breakneck pace towards the guy. It's all happening right in front of Dani. She feels stirred to do something, but she might not want the attention. She could sit by and [[do nothing|pedestrian nothing][$help to 4]], or run out to [[rescue|pedestrian rescue][$help to 1]] him. A mid-point might be to [[shout|pedestrian shout][$help to 2]] and get his or the driver's attention in time.

Dani looks down and away. She can't draw attention to herself, not with the Human Regulation Act fully enforced. If she got envolved, well, they might register her. Or worse. <<if $medicine eq true>>She wouldn't have been fast enough to do anything about it anyway, not with this medicine affecting her speed. The crash comes too early, and Dani jumps in her seat. The pedestrian lets out a scream, but is thankfully silenced quicker, from the drug running through Dani's blood. A mercy, but Dani doesn't feel like she deserves it.<<else>>She'd be fast enough right now, but risking your life for that of a stranger? That's just not smart right now. Waiting for the crash is an agony. It takes so long before the breaks start squealing. Then comes the scream from the pedestrian. It rings out over an eternity, then, finally, after long moments, it quiets.<</if>> Dani [[looks up|ped nothing after][$pedestrian to 4]] to see what she has not done.

<<if $medicine eq true>><<display "ped resc slow">><<else>><<display "ped resc fast">><</if>>

Dani drops her window and yells out at the pedestrian, waving her hands at him to get his attention.<<if $medicine eq false>> Not too fast, or he won't be able to see it.<</if>> The man is barely aware of his surroundings, but the driver notices and veers out of the way, honking his horn. This the pedestrian hears and makes for the curb, wide-eyed. The car manages to avoid him, almost. It clips the pedestrian's leg as it speeds off down the hill, sending the man spinning to the curb, yelling out in pain. His phone goes flying. He tries to get up, but he has trouble and the first person he sees is Dani, who is staring at the man the whole time. He says something, but Dani's not focusing enough to hear him. Then, another woman starts walking up. She had been sitting outside at the café next door. Why she was sitting outside in November, Dani couldn't fathom, and how she manages to keep from freezing with the thin wraps she has on is another puzzle. There she is, though, phone in one hand, gripping her shirt close to her with the other. Seeing the man's gaze, she looks over and sees Dani in the car, [[waving at her|Haley Intro][$pedestrian to 2]] to come help.

It's a grisly scene, but not as bad as others that Dani has seen in her life. The body was thrown from the car a few feet, now lying in a heap. He's just a pile on the ground now. But no doubt there will be police here soon. The driver of the car looks defeated, laying against the stearing wheel, staring blankly off to the left. Cars are passing slowly on the left, looking at the driver with such pained looks on their faces. They're doing their best to not look at the body in the road. The bank-goers look on for a long moment, but hurry back to their business, not wanting to get involved. No one wants to get involved when something terrible happens. Except that someone was. A woman who had been sitting outside at the café is approaching the accident with her phone out. She's an unusual sort, covered head to toe in such thin fabric that how she isn't freezing is beyond Dani. She holds the light fabric around her, as if she's afraid it will get whipped away by the slightest breeze, which, given how light it must be, is probably true. The woman looks around<<if $medicine eq false>>, slowly,<</if>> and notices Dani in her car with practically a front row seat to the spectacle. She starts advancing, [[calling out to Dani|Haley Intro]].

<<set $fastMode to false>><<set $medicine to false>><<set $pedestrian to 0>><<set $help to 0>><<set $police to false>><<set $haley to false>>

The woman is saying something. Despite herself, Dani lowers the window to listen. It's tough<<if $medicine eq true>>, but it could be worse<</if>>. The words stretch on for a while. Dani needs to <<link "focus">><<replace "#hidelink">>focus<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<display [[Haley Intro Conv]]>><</append>><</link>> to hear it.

Dani rushes out of her car towards the pedestrian, summoning up all her speed. A feat like this would be nothing on any other day, but with the medicine running through her blood, all her speed isn't nearly enough. She only manages to get a few steps before the breaks start screeching. The car slams into the pedestrian and skitters to a halt, sending the man flying a few feet, before he crumples in a heap. It all happened too fast for Dani, and here she was trying to do something about it. The bank-goers glance over, but no one wants to get mixed up in this kind of thing. Unfortunately Dani is. She looks around her and notice that another has stepped up to help. A woman striking because of her wispy, gossamer clothing that should offer no protection from the November cold. A phone is in her hand. There will be police here, soon. There's no hiding from her, exposed and branded by all as someone who is going to do something. No hiding, as she starts walking over to Dani, [[calling her|Haley Intro][$pedestrian to 4]].

Dani rushes out of her car towards the pedestrian, summoning up all her speed. A feat like this is nothing for someone like her, Dani only hopes that no one notices her. The trick is to never stop running. If you stop running, you linger in one place too long and people's eyes can catch you. So Dani runs around behind the pedestrian and pushes him up onto the curb. The car begins to screech to a halt, but drives past, honking as it goes. The pedestrian is safe on the side of the road, bewildered, and Dani slips back into her seat. There are so many cars about, no one notices the door closing. Dani looks about to make sure that she's in the clear. The bank goers barely looked up. This is too day-to-day in this city. Over at the café, people are too interested in their coffees to pay the street any mind. There's someone, though, sitting at one of the tables outside. Why she's sitting outside in the cold November, Dani isn't sure, and even less so how the woman isn't freezing in the gauzey clothing she wears. What Dani does know, though, is that the woman had had a front row seat for the whole incident, and now she's staring directly at Dani's car. Dani doesn't have time for this, though. She grabs the envelope of money from the passenger seat and readies herself. She needs to [[deposit her money|Go In Bank]] and leave.

<<speak '"Can you hear me?"' ' she says, staring directly at Dani. <<if $pedestrian eq 2>><<display [[Haley Ped Hurt Choice]]>><<elseif $pedestrian eq 4>><<display [[Haley Ped Killed Choice]]>><</if>>'>>

<<widget "speak">><<if $fastMode eq true>><<print $args[0]>><<if $args[1]>><<print $args[1]>><</if>><<else>><<set $speakString to $args[0]>><<if $args[1]>><<set $afterString to $args[1]>><<else>><<set $afterString to "">><</if>><<if $medicine eq false>><<repeat 200ms>><<if $speakString.length eq 0>><<print $afterString>><<stop>><<else>><<print "<nowiki>" + $speakString[0] + "</nowiki>">><<set $speakString to $speakString.slice(1)>><</if>><</repeat>><<else>><<repeat 50ms>><<if $speakString.length eq 0>><<print $afterString>><<stop>><<else>><<print "<nowiki>" + $speakString[0] + "</nowiki>">><<set $speakString to $speakString.slice(1)>><</if>><</repeat>><</if>><</if>><</widget>>

<<speak '"This man needs some help, can you help me?"' " Dani looks around. She just wants to go to the bank and desposit her money. She doesn't want to get involved. Does she [[respond|Haley Ped Hurt Respond][$haley to true]] or [[ignore the woman|Hayley Ped Hurt Ignore][$haley to false]]?">>

<<speak '"You saw all this, yeah? The police will want to talk to you."' " Dani looks around her. Everone else has went back to their own business, and that's just what Dani wants to do. But the woman is right. Dani had a front row seat for what happened, and the police will want to talk to her. Even if she went inside the bank now, the police would be here by the time she got out. There was no avoiding it. Dani's a good witness, too. She got to see things happening longer than most others, so she could give people more detail than most. The woman has her phone out, so clearly she's going to call the police, but she seems to be hesitating, as if she's waiting for someone to tell her that it's the right thing to do. The only recourse would be to [[leave|Escape][$haley to false]] and come back later, but wouldn't that be suspicious? Otherwise, Dani could be cooperative, and maybe [[talk it over|Haley Conv Intro Ped Dead][$haley to true]] with the woman.">>

Against better judgment, Dani gets out of the car and walks over to the woman and the man.<<if $help eq 2>> He asks Dani if she was the one who shouted and got the driver to swerve out of the way, then thanks Dani when she quietly agrees.<</if>> He's not very hurt, just a light sprain that he'll be able to walk off with some rest. The woman has her phone out and looks like she wants to dial someone, but doesn't know quite who. She stands away from the man and Dani, who she asks to help the man up. Dani finds herself awkwardly supporting the man, with no help from the other bystander.<<if $medicine eq false>> It goes so slowly as Dani walks with practiced care. It's bad enough going at another's pace, but when that person is slowly limping along from a hurt leg, it's excruciatingly dull.<<else>> It's slow going, but a bit more her own pace than usual. Dani isn't used to walking in public at this speed, though, so she tends to jerk around a bit.<</if>> Finally sitting at one of the café tables, with his feet elevated, the man asks the woman with the phone to call his roommate to come get him. Rather than giving the phone to the man to call, or moving any closer to him at all, she insists on calling for him. After that's done, he thanks the two of you and tells you to go on your way. The woman, looking relieved, steps back to her own table and sits down. Her gaze is fixed firmly on Dani, and, as Dani feared, the woman [[starts up a conversation|Haley Conv After Help]].<<set $police to false>>

<<set $police to true>>Dani looks away, pointedly, but not before noticing the woman's face fall at the hesitation. Dani needs to deposit money into her account so she can pay her bills, not get involved in someone else's business. After waiting to make sure that the woman knows she isn't going to help, Dani readies herself for the task at hand. She grabs the money envelope from the passenger seat, and starts the slow [[walk|Go In Bank]] to the bank interior.

<<speak '"Thanks for the help, my name`s Haley."' " the woman says. She doesn't extend her hand, only sits down at the table where she abandoned her food. She picks up her paper coffee cup and holds it close to her, but makes no attempt to drink it. Dani could [[introduce herself|Haley Conv Inj Dani Intro][$haleyKnowsName to true]], or she could just try to [[make conversation|Haley Conv Inj Conversation]]. Another option, of course, would be to make a [[quick goodbye|Haley Conv Inj Quick Exit]] and go back to her business.">>

Dani panics. She has to get out of here. The police will be here soon and with her unregistered status, she's sure to be found out. They always send someone trained in human protection. People on the streets won't notice her behavior too much, but the police will. No, she can't stay and be roped into this situation. The cash will have to wait a few hours. Dani starts the car and the woman starts yelling at her to stay here, but when she sees the fear in Dani's eyes, her yell falters. She's someone who understands what it's like to be hunted, Dani thinks. Maybe she's not so different than Dani, maybe she's one of them, but Dani can't think about that right now. The sight of the pedestrian dying right in front of her has her only thinking of one thing: safety. Dani peels out of the parking lot. <<if $medicine eq true>>It's difficult to control the car at this speed, but Dani's not going very far.<<else>>She starts to relax as the car picks up speed. Maybe she'll take it out onto the highway for a bit and relax.<</if>> All that matters now is that Dani is out of that situation. None of it will come back to her. At least, Dani sure hopes so. ENDING: Escape

<<if $help eq 1>>Dani <<else>>Dani gets out of her car and <</if>>walks over to the woman, trying her best to avoid looking at the road. The woman steps away as Dani approaches, keeping a more than comfortable distance between them. By the time Dani has gotten to her, the woman is already talking to the police.<<set $police to true>> Dani watches her face as she speaks. She's looking at the scene, but Dani can tell that she's not quite looking at anything in particular. Her words are quick bursts of air, and Dani can see that she's breathing rather quickly, which is quite expected from someone who just witnessed a bad accident. Had Dani not been so experienced with appearing to breathe a particular way, she might also have a rapid breath. Her heart certainly is beating fast, though that may be the phone call more than the accident right at the moment. Eventually, the woman hangs up the phone and puts it away.<<if $medicine eq false>> It takes forever, and this is why Dani doesn't like interacting with people. To them, waiting is over in a few moments, but to Dani, it's so many more.<<else>> The medicine helps with the waiting. It often takes so long to wait for people, but with that yellow pill, waiting isn't quite so bad.<</if>> The woman, done with the phone, begins to <<link "speak">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>speak<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<if $help eq 1>><<speak ' "Are you ok? You saw all of it right there. You tried to help, even. That`s very good of you. There`s nothing you could do."' " Dani doesn't like this. It's risky. She even made a spectacle of herself. What could she do? [[Introduce|Haley Conv Dead Dani Intro][$haleyKnowsName to true]] herself? [[Weasel|Haley Conv Dead Weasel]] out of it? Just [[wait|Wait For Police]]? She's here now, no turning back.">><<else>><<speak ' "Are you ok? You saw all of it right there. That must have been terrible seeing it and not being able to do anything."' " Dani doesn't like this. It's risky. The woman could be a cop, even. How else did she get the police so quickly? What could she do? [[Introduce|Haley Conv Dead Dani Intro][$haleyKnowsName to true]] herself? [[Weasel|Haley Conv Dead Weasel]] out of it? Just [[wait|Wait For Police]]?">><</if>><</append>><</link>>.

Remembering her manners, Dani says "I'm Dani, by the way. Nice to meet you." She extends a hand, but the woman only stares at it. After Dani lowers her hand, the woman shakes her head and <<link "speaks">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>speaks<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"Sorry. I`m a bit skittish about contact."' " She gives a weak smile. The door to the bank closes and reminds Dani that she came here for a [[purpose|Haley Conv Inj Quick Exit]].">><</append>><</link>>.

"What a weird day, huh?" Dani says. "It this place any good? You haven't touched your sandwich." Dani doesn't know what she's doing. She never talks to people like this. Hell, talking to people is such a chore that she prefers to not do it at all. She tries a few more questions, but then runs out of things to say, so she waits for a <<link "response">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>response<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"Woah, slow down! You don`t talk to people much, do you? That`s ok, I dont either. Yeah, a weird day. Weren`t you here to do something? Sorry, I don`t mean to be abrupt."' " Haley nods over at the bank. Dani gets the feeling that Haley wants to be left alone, and that's fine by her. She did come here to do [[something else|Haley Conv Inj Quick Exit]], after all.">><</append>><</link>>.

"No problem," Dani says, and looks back at the bank. "Everything's alright here, now, so I'm going to go back to what I was doing." The woman looks <<link "away">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>away<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak ' "Hey-- No, nothing. Sure. Hope you have a good day."' " Haley goes back to nursing her cup and staring down at her untouched sandwich. Was she going to [[say something|Haley Conv Inj Different]]? Dani really needed to get [[back to business|Haley Conv Inj Exit Finally]].">><</append>><</link>>.

Dani stops, curious. "What is it?" she asks. "What do you want to <<link "say">><<if $help neq 4>><<replace "#speechTrigger">>say<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"It`s just, you`re different, aren`t you?"' " Haley doesn't look up look up, but Dani can see her breath quicken and her eyes defocus. What does she mean? Is she different? Is she like Dani? This is dangerous. She could be a cop. Dani could [[confide|Haley Conv Inj Confide]] in this stranger she just met, maybe they have a similar life. Then again, it would be safest to [[just leave|Haley Conv Inj Exit Finally]].">><</append>><<else>><<replace "#speechTrigger">>say<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"It`s nothing. Just go back to what you were doing."' " She doesn't look up at all, but her face sours. This conversation is over. That's fine to Dani. She just needs to [[deposit some money|Haley Conv Inj Exit Finally]] and be on her way.">><</append>><</if>><</link>>?"

Dani looks at the woman sitting in front of her. She's definitely a strange one. She won't get close to people. She's wearing summer clothing in November. She's not eating or drinking anything, just holding that cup close to her, as if she's cold and wants the warmth, but she could have been inside, where the heat is. At least she's sitting in the sun. Yeah, this woman's got to be different. This one has to be like Dani. So, Dani decides, to say something. "I hope I don't regret this," she says, "but, yeah, I'm different. Is it that obvious? I'm fast, see?" Dani glances about to make sure no one's watching and snatches the sandwich off the plate in front of Haley, at her speed.<<if $medicine eq true>> It's not as impressive an impact as it could have been, but it's still damn fast.<</if>> Haley gasps and pushes her chair away, covering her face and nearly dropping her cup. "What's wrong?" Dani asks. "I really hope you're not a <<link "cop">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>cop<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak ' "No just, I`m afraid you`ll touch me. I don`t want to hurt you. It`s ok. You should get back to what you were doing, but thanks for confiding in me. I`m here every day, if you need someone to talk to."' ' Dani puts the sandwich back down and smiles at the woman. "Yeah, sure," she says. "It`ll be nice to have someone to talk to around here. About this." Dani gives Haley a wave, and gets on with the [[business of the day|Haley Conv Inj Exit Finally]].'>><</append>><</link>>."

Haley doesn't say anything more as Dani goes back to her car. She retrieves the envelope of money from the passenger seat, glad that it is still there after the ordeal. Taking a deep breath, she begins the slow walk to the bank interior. It's just the bank. Dani has this.<<if $medicine eq true>> At least the medicine is helping, but the people crossing the lot in front of her are tough to predict at this speed, and she finds herself redirecting every time someone passes in front of her.<</if>> The bank is what one would expect. You stand in line, fill out a deposit slip, and then you give it and the money to the teller. It's just a couple thousand dollars. In this city, no one questions you about something that small. No one questions anything. It's the best place to hide. That's why your uncle sent you here. Dani doesn't question where the money comes. It just shows up on the table on the 15th of the month. She hopes that it's legitimate, but in this world, she doubts it. The people are jaded and selfish. As accident happens on the street and the do their best to look away and not get involved.<<if $haley eq false>> Dani too.<<else>> Still, there are some good people out there.<</if>> Ending: Taking Care of Business

"Nah, I'm ok. Far better than them at least." Dani points at the driver and the crumpled heap in the street. "I'm Dani, by the way." The woman cringes at Dani's words, but takes care to introduce herself. Her name is Haley, and she was just enjoying lunch at the café when it all happened. "Do you think that the police will really need to see me?" Dani says, her brow darkening. "You saw all of it, too, right? I'm not looking to get mixed up with the police, I just want to deposit some money and go home." The woman studies Dani for a moment. Most people don't notice when they're being studied, but Dani has more time than most people. After that, she <<link "speaks">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>speaks<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<if $help eq 1>><<speak ' "You`re not in any trouble are you? I can`t believe someone who would try to help like that would be in any trouble with the police. You`re not--"' " She stops short. What was she going to say? Dani could [[press it|Haley Conv Dead Press]] or maybe it's best to just [[ignore it|Haley Conv Dead Ignore]].">><<else>><<speak ' "Why wouldn`t you want to talk to the police? Are you in trouble, or something?"' " Dani bites her lip a bit. She can't just tell this stranger why she doesn't want to get involved with the police, of course, but maybe if she [[talked around it|Haley Conv Dead Talk Around]], the Haley might get the idea. Maybe she should just [[wait in the car|Haley Conv Dead Escape]], instead. Talking might get her in more trouble.">><</if>><</append>><</link>>.

"Nah, I'm ok. Far better than them at least." Dani points at the driver and the crumpled heap in the street. The woman cringes at Dani's words, but takes care to introduce herself. Her name is Haley, and she was just enjoying lunch at the café when it all happened. "Do you think that the police will really need to see me?" Dani says, her brow darkening. "You saw all of it, too, right? I'm not looking to get mixed up with the police, I just want to deposit some money and go home." The woman studies Dani for a moment. Most people don't notice when they're being studied, but Dani has more time than most people. After that, she <<link "speaks">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>speaks<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<if $help eq 1>><<speak ' "You`re not in any trouble are you? I can`t believe someone who would try to help like that would be in any trouble with the police. You`re not--"' " She stops short. What was she going to say? Dani could [[press it|Haley Conv Dead Press]] or maybe it's best to just [[ignore it|Haley Conv Dead Ignore]].">><<else>><<speak ' "Why wouldn`t you want to talk to the police? Are you in trouble, or something?"' " Dani bites her lip a bit. She can't just tell this stranger why she doesn't want to get involved with the police, of course, but maybe if she [[talked around it|Haley Conv Dead Talk Around]], the Haley might get the idea. Maybe she should just [[wait in the car|Haley Conv Dead Escape]], instead. Talking might get her in more trouble.">><</if>><</append>><</link>>.

"I'm ok, yeah." Dani says. "Look, you seem nice, but I'll just wait in my car. It's cold out here. Aren't you cold?" The woman looks away and mumbles a surrender, letting Dani go back to her car. The police would be here soon, there really wasn't time to do the deposit until after. Waiting is the worst thing when you're fast, and Dani's the fastest. <<if $medicine eq true>>Thankfully the medicine makes it go easier. <</if>>Dani sits down in her car and watches the wind in the trees. Everyone else is going about their business, doing their best not to be involved. That's what Dani should be doing, but there's no backing out now. Well, she could leave, but the time for that has passed. Now it's time for meditation. Perhaps a nap. Napping makes time go by faster. Besides, Dani's dreams stretch on forever, and often they're a better place to be than reality. A nap sounds good. Just the yawning expanse of a few minutes. Ending: A Nap Before the Police

Dani stops, curious. "What is it?" she asks. "What do you want to <<link "say">><<if $help neq 4>><<replace "#speechTrigger">>say<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"It`s just, you`re different, aren`t you?"' " Haley doesn't look up look up, but Dani can see her breath quicken and her eyes defocus. What does she mean? Is she different? Is she like Dani? This is dangerous. She could be a cop. Dani could [[confide|Haley Conv Dead Confide]] in this stranger she just met, maybe they have a similar life. Then again, it would be safest to [[just leave|Haley Conv Dead Escape]].">><</append>><<else>><<replace "#speechTrigger">>say<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"It`s nothing."' " She doesn't look up at all, but her face sours. This conversation is over. That's fine to Dani. She's stuck here, so now she just needs to [[wait|Haley Conv Dead Escape]] and be on her way.">><</append>><</if>><</link>>?"

Dani waves it off and surrenders. Maybe the police won't notice. It's just an interview about what she saw. It's not complicated. Dani didn't like where the conversation was going though. Talking to this woman might be dangerous, and Dani doesn't like talking to people anyway. "Look, you seem nice, but I'll just wait in my car. It's cold out here. Aren't you cold?" Haley looks away and mumbles a surrender, letting Dani go back to her car. The police would be here soon, there really wasn't time to do the deposit until after. Waiting is the worst thing when you're fast, and Dani's the fastest. <<if $medicine eq true>>Thankfully the medicine makes it go easier. <</if>>Dani sits down in her car and watches the wind in the trees. Everyone else is going about their business, doing their best not to be involved. That's what Dani should be doing, but there's no backing out now. Well, she could leave, but the time for that has passed. Now it's time for meditation. Perhaps a nap. Napping makes time go by faster. Besides, Dani's dreams stretch on forever, and often they're a better place to be than reality. A nap sounds good. Just the yawning expanse of a few minutes. Ending: A Nap Before the Police

"Hey, I just don't want to get mixed up with the police, you know?" Dani says. "You see things on the news about people having bad run ins with the police all the time, and I worry what's going to happen. I'm a black woman, and-- well it's just a scary thing, isn't it? Who wants to talk to the police these days?" The woman looks at Dani, her eys, scanning up and down as if looking for something written there. Then she <<link "speaks">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>speaks<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak '"Yeah, I get it. The police are frigtening these days, especially for those who don`t fit the mold. You should talk to them, though, unless there`s something else you`re worried about."' " Haley's gaze narrows as she looks directly into Dani's eyes. Was she trying to say something about her not fitting the mold? She was different, that's for sure, but was she different in the same way that Dani was? Or maybe she's just sympathetic. Dani considers [[telling her|Haley Conv Dead Reveal]], but maybe it's better to just [[keep quiet|Haley Conv Dead Escape]].">><</append>><</link>>.

"Look, you seem nice, but I'll just wait in my car. It's cold out here. Aren't you cold?" Haley looks away and mumbles a surrender, letting Dani go back to her car. The police would be here soon, there really wasn't time to do the deposit until after. Waiting is the worst thing when you're fast, and Dani's the fastest. <<if $medicine eq true>>Thankfully the medicine makes it go easier. <</if>>Dani sits down in her car and watches the wind in the trees. Everyone else is going about their business, doing their best not to be involved. That's what Dani should be doing, but there's no backing out now. Well, she could leave, but the time for that has passed. Now it's time for meditation. Perhaps a nap. Napping makes time go by faster. Besides, Dani's dreams stretch on forever, and often they're a better place to be than reality. A nap sounds good. Just the yawning expanse of a few minutes. Ending: A Nap Before the Police

Dani looks at the woman in front of her. She's definitely a strange one. She won't get close to people. She's wearing summer clothing in November. She had been sitting at that table in front of the café for a while, but her food is untouched. At least she was sitting in the sun. Dani has a feeling. Like this woman must be different like she is. So, Dani decides, to say something. "I hope I don't regret this," she says, "but, yeah, I'm different. Is it that obvious? I'm fast, see?" Dani glances about to make sure no one's watching and snatches the woman's hand, at her speed.<<if $medicine eq true>> At least, that was the intention, but as soon as she moved, the woman recoiled and backed away<<else>> As soon as she's done this, the woman shrieks and pulls away, leaving a thin glove in Dani's hand. She's very cold.<</if>> "What's wrong?" Dani asks. "I really hope you're not a <<link "cop">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>cop<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<if $medicine eq true>><<speak '"Don`t touch me! I don`t want to hurt you!"' " The woman looks around furtively, but finds no shelter. Her eyes flit back and forth for a bit, and Dani realizes that she`s scanning the people around them. The shriek was rather loud, but these people, they don`t want to get involved. Dani could try to [[smooth things over|Haley Conv Dead Apologize]], or she could [[call the woman's bluff|Haley Conv Dead Call Bluff]].">><<else>><<speak '"Don`t touch me! I don`t want to hurt you!"' " The woman looks around furtively, but finds no shelter. Her eyes narrow on the glove in Dani's hand, then she looks back down to her own hand. Then, she bolts. Dani could [[give chase|Haley Conv Dead Chase]], or she could [[let her go|Haley Conv Dead Let Go]].">><</if>><</append>><</link>>."

"Woah, hey I'm sorry," Dani says. <<if $medicine eq true>>She loweres her hand. <<else>>"Here," she says and tosses the glove at the woman, who catches it and puts it on swiftly.<</if>> "I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to show you that I'm different. Are you different, too?" Slowly, Haley calms down. She takes a tentative step closer, her eyes constantly darting to Dani's hands. She takes a deep breath and finally starts <<link "talking">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>talking<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<speak ' "I`m different, yeah. I can see why you don`t want to talk to the police. I get scared too. It`s easier for me, since you can`t see what`s wrong with me. I guess, if you`re scared, I can leave you out of it."' ' Dani sighs and says, "That really means a lot to me, thanks. I`d better leave before they come, it won`t be long." Dani gives Haley a wave, and gets [[back in her car|A Friendly Escape]].'>><</append>><</link>>.

Dani rushes forward, throwing caution to the wind, grabbing the woman's hand<<if $medicine eq false>>, freed from the glove.<<else>>, the lack of speed causes Dani to overshoot and lands on the woman's arm, pushing the sleeve back.<</if>> "No!" Haley yells, sped up by Dani's touch, as an eruption of pain screams through Dani's hand and arm. It's all so cold. It's like Dani just thrust her hand into a pile of ice cubes. "I'm sorry!" Haley shouts as she pulls herself away, slowing down to her normal speed. Dani can't feel her hand at all, just a dire pain near her elbow. She looks down and sees that her hand is black, as if burned through, blistered and heavy. Surprised, she loses her footing and falls, slamming her hands against the pavement. Her blackened hand twists at an odd angle and falls off, bringing with it an expanse of pain. She looks up at Haley, pleading, but Haley is running away. The police are on their way. There's nothing that can be done about that, and Dani is going to need a hospital. She hopes that they bring an ambulance, and that it isn't too late by the time they get here. Dani doesn't experience the world at everyone else's speed, after all. If she needs someone else to do something, she has to wait for them to catch up. Waiting, though, that can take a while, and Dani experiences everyone's second ten times. A minute is ten minutes. An hour is ten hours. The police, they'll be here in ten minutes, and for that vast eternity, Dani's arm sears with pain, and her hand sits, lifeless, blackened and broken, beside her. Ending: Black and Blue

There's no point in chasing. If she wants to go, then she can go. All this means is that Dani is left with a choice. Should she stay, and wait for the police? She didn't want to, and she was sure that the police could handle it on their own. She couldn't stay and do her business, though, not until they were gone. So perhaps she could just come back later, or go to a different, unfamiliar bank. What would it be? [[Stay|Solitary Wait]], or [[go|Retreat]]?

Taking a deep breath, she begins the slow walk. It's just the bank. Dani has this.<<if $medicine eq true>> At least the medicine is helping, but the people crossing the lot in front of her are tough to predict at this speed, and she finds herself redirecting every time someone passes in front of her.<</if>> The bank is what one would expect. You stand in line, fill out a deposit slip, and then you give it and the money to the teller. It's just a couple thousand dollars. In this city, no one questions you about something that small. No one questions anything. It's the best place to hide. That's why your uncle sent you here. Dani doesn't question where the money comes. It just shows up on the table on the 15th of the month. She hopes that it's legitimate, but in this world, she doubts it. The people are jaded and selfish. As accident happens on the street and the do their best to look away and not get involved.<<if $haley eq false>> Dani too.<<else>> Still, there are some good people out there.<</if>> Ending: Taking Care of Business

Dani looks at the woman in front of her. She's definitely a strange one. She won't get close to people. She's wearing summer clothing in November. She had been sitting at that table in front of the café for a while, but her food is untouched. At least she was sitting in the sun. Dani has a feeling. Like this woman must be different like she is. So, Dani decides, to say something. "I hope I don't regret this," she says, "but, I'm different. Like really different. I'm fast, see?" Dani glances about to make sure no one's watching and snatches the woman's hand, at her speed.<<if $medicine eq true>> At least, that was the intention, but as soon as she moved, the woman recoiled and backed away<<else>> As soon as she's done this, the woman shrieks and pulls away, leaving a thin glove in Dani's hand. She's very cold.<</if>> "What's <<link "wrong">><<replace "#speechTrigger">>wrong<</replace>><<append "#appendTarget">><<if $medicine eq true>><<speak '"Don`t touch me! I don`t want to hurt you!"' " The woman looks around furtively, but finds no shelter. Her eyes flit back and forth for a bit, and Dani realizes that she`s scanning the people around them. The shriek was rather loud, but these people, they don`t want to get involved. Dani could try to [[smooth things over|Haley Conv Dead Apologize]], or she could [[call the woman's bluff|Haley Conv Dead Call Bluff]].">><<else>><<speak '"Don`t touch me! I don`t want to hurt you!"' " The woman looks around furtively, but finds no shelter. Her eyes narrow on the glove in Dani's hand, then she looks back down to her own hand. Then, she bolts. Dani could [[give chase|Haley Conv Dead Chase]], or she could [[let her go|Haley Conv Dead Let Go]].">><</if>><</append>><</link>>?" Dani asks.

This is the way it has to be. Dani's too obvious. The police will be here soon and with her unregistered status, she's sure to be found out. They always send someone trained in human protection. People on the streets won't notice her behavior too much, but the police will. No, she can't stay and be roped into this situation. The cash will have to wait a few hours. Dani starts the car and looks out at Haley. She's smiling, but her eyes are shifty and thin. She understands what it's like to be hunted. Dani gets out of her spot and leaves the scene. <<if $medicine eq true>>It's difficult to control the car at this speed, but Dani's not going very far.<<else>>She starts to relax as the car picks up speed. Maybe she'll take it out onto the highway for a bit and relax.<</if>> She can hear a siren in the distance. Sirens are the worst. They wail on and on, droning for an eternity, rising and falling like the inevitable tide. ENDING: A Friendly Escape

Dani goes back to her car. The police would be here soon. Waiting is the worst thing when you're fast, and Dani's the fastest. <<if $medicine eq true>>Thankfully the medicine makes it go easier. <</if>>Dani sits down in her car and watches the wind in the trees. Everyone else is going about their business, doing their best not to be involved. That's what Dani should be doing, but her mind is made up. When waiting like this, Dani usually goes for a nap. It makes the time go faster. This time, though, she wants to be alert when things happen. If Dani naps, someone might look in her car and see her rapid breath. They might not notice her at all. They might think she's homeless. Besides, after what's happened, she's not sure she'd be able to manage sleeping at all. Now was the time for meditation and questions. Who was that woman, really, and why was she so frightened of Dani? Was there something that could have been done differently? What would the best outcome have been? Could Dani have saved the man in the heap? Should she have? Whose life is worth more, or are both equally immeasurable? Should everyone be saved? Or no one? Who was Dani to decide the fates of others? A god, like some say? Or a prisoner? Ending: Solitary Solemnity

Dani has to get out of here. She needs to go, because if they find her, she will be discovered. They always send someone trained in human protection, and someone like Dani is just so obvious. Dani calmly starts her car and leaves. Haley is still in sight, and Dani passes her on the road, but the two do not share the slightest of glances. They're both running, and clearly no one is there to help them. Maybe it would be different, if people knew what it was like to be blessed with a curse like Dani. If they knew what it was like to live life ten times for every one. That's why she likes the open road. Out there, time doesn't mean anything. Here in the city, everything is run by seconds and minutes and hours, everyone else's seconds and minutes and hours. Dani doesn't experience the world at everyone else's speed, after all. She has to experience a second ten times. For her, a minute is ten minutes, an hour is ten hours, a day is ten days. She has all the time in the world, and she can't do anything with it. It's her cage. So she goes out on the road and thinks. She stays in and sleeps. Only when she really has to, does she venture into the world where time is her adversary, but retreats to safety as quickly as everyone else's speed allows. ENDING: One Thousand Years of Solitude