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theelmemeium2023-02-10 07:50 pm
shiftmanager) wrote in theelmemeium2023-02-10 07:50 pm
Entry tags:
TEST DRIVE MEME
Welcome to the opening test drive of
theelysium! Invitations are not required to play on the inaugural TDM. Test drive threads may be considered game canon if all participants wish to maintain the CR developed here. This TDM doubles as an arrival log for the game's opening.
The first application round is closed to friends of the moderators. If you are interested in joining the game but do not know anyone involved, you may reach out to the mod team to request an invitation for the March app round.
If you have any questions about the setting, here are some links to the game's premise and setting information pages.
Thank you for playing! We're excited to have you.
ARRIVAL
When you came to, you were mid-conversation with someone you've never seen before, nodding along to instructions that seem to evaporate into the air after they're spoken aloud. You've been welcomed into the industry, given your ID and uniform, and escorted to the back of house. It seemed natural then to just go along with it, to be cordial and pleasant, no matter how insincere it might have been.
They asked you to sit for a while and gather your bearings, and so you sit. The rest settles slowly as you adjust and find the rest of yourself returning. At least the couches are soft.
The room is dark, lit only by a rotating set of colored lights that move across a determined track, bathing the collected employees in bright shades of blue, pink, and violet. Some tables are internally lit in fluorescent shades, surrounding everything in a hazy glow. Distantly, a thumping vibration shakes the southmost wall, indicating something terribly noisy on the other side.
But at the north, a wall panel springs to life, revealing a mustached man who smiles at them warmly. They can try to interject, but it seems to be a prerecorded message; he doesn't pause or acknowledge them in the slightest as he welcomes them.
"Congratulations! We're happy to have you onboard at the finest entertainment venue ever erected. There's still a while before your first shift starts, so why don't you take a couple of hours to make yourselves at home? There are snacks and drinks in the mini fridge, and the schedule is posted out in the costume room. Tap your card to the ATM in the corner if you need to check the balance of your debt or withdraw any chips. We've been bringing in more guests than ever lately, so be sure you take care of them!"
He smiles in a way that someone, somewhere, might have found charming once.
"Remember the big rules. Customer service always comes first. We do what the guests want. And whatever happens here, stays here. Shift schedule's posted right below me, so take a minute to figure out where you're supposed to be. Next shift change happens in an hour, so you should think about getting ready soon if you're on deck. A lot of people were gunning for the job you've got. Don't make us regret bringing you on board."
The message ends and the monitor falls black again, leaving them to their own devices. Those scheduled for the next shift will only have half an hour before they start to feel the compulsion to prepare, to check their makeup and make sure there's no food in their teeth, to clock in and work. But others will have longer to explore before the next shift change. Maybe they're the ones who have enough time to figure out what's happening before things go too far. Maybe there's hope.
They asked you to sit for a while and gather your bearings, and so you sit. The rest settles slowly as you adjust and find the rest of yourself returning. At least the couches are soft.The room is dark, lit only by a rotating set of colored lights that move across a determined track, bathing the collected employees in bright shades of blue, pink, and violet. Some tables are internally lit in fluorescent shades, surrounding everything in a hazy glow. Distantly, a thumping vibration shakes the southmost wall, indicating something terribly noisy on the other side.
But at the north, a wall panel springs to life, revealing a mustached man who smiles at them warmly. They can try to interject, but it seems to be a prerecorded message; he doesn't pause or acknowledge them in the slightest as he welcomes them.
"Congratulations! We're happy to have you onboard at the finest entertainment venue ever erected. There's still a while before your first shift starts, so why don't you take a couple of hours to make yourselves at home? There are snacks and drinks in the mini fridge, and the schedule is posted out in the costume room. Tap your card to the ATM in the corner if you need to check the balance of your debt or withdraw any chips. We've been bringing in more guests than ever lately, so be sure you take care of them!"He smiles in a way that someone, somewhere, might have found charming once.
"Remember the big rules. Customer service always comes first. We do what the guests want. And whatever happens here, stays here. Shift schedule's posted right below me, so take a minute to figure out where you're supposed to be. Next shift change happens in an hour, so you should think about getting ready soon if you're on deck. A lot of people were gunning for the job you've got. Don't make us regret bringing you on board."
The message ends and the monitor falls black again, leaving them to their own devices. Those scheduled for the next shift will only have half an hour before they start to feel the compulsion to prepare, to check their makeup and make sure there's no food in their teeth, to clock in and work. But others will have longer to explore before the next shift change. Maybe they're the ones who have enough time to figure out what's happening before things go too far. Maybe there's hope.
WORKING THE EVENT FLOOR
Most of the assigned shifts correlate to obvious locations or tasks. Run blackjack at table 46A, stand security at the adult-only entrance on the third floor, hop behind the Starlight Bar and get to mixing drinks.But those scheduled to work on the Event Floor will find their workday dominated by a particular pastiche.
With Valentine’s Day looming soon, the event floor is decked out for romance and decadence. A plush red carpet has been rolled out underfoot, providing a contrast to the white marble gaming tables. Everything is a shade of white, red, or pink, with floral accents and expensive strings of pearls providing a festive touch. Even the cigarette girls and boys are distributing more festive substances, like cigars that burn up in pink smoke.
Everything seems arranged with the intent of bringing people together: the chairs are all a little closer than usual, and even some of the slot machine setups invite two players to share a machine and split their winnings. Staff are informed that several high rollers want to be surrounded by romance, and their job is to help facilitate that. When two neighbors win at roulette, winning chips should be passed over in a way that will all but force players’ hands to touch when they recover their winnings. If a dealer notices a spark between players, it might be the right time to swap to a marked deck and help make sure they win enough for a dopamine release into each other’s arms. Maybe it’s just a friendship! But maybe it can be something more than that. What could be a better icebreaker?
Bartenders on the event floor are given instructions to mix specialty drinks in addition to normal beverages. This time, the Elysium is featuring the following items: hatsukoi fizz, a light beverage that makes a person's mood as bubbly as the champagne tickling their nose, blushing rose, which makes a person a little more coquettish and flirty, the piercing arrow, a strong mix of intoxicants designed to lower inhibitions, and the (only available in Adult playspaces) widow’s kiss, a dark liquor that burns down the throat and spreads out from there, generating an uncontrollable passion that can only be satisfied with physical contact.
Performers will be asked to keep it romantic, largely featuring cabaret ensembles singing round-the-clock love songs and romantic ballads, broken up by ensemble performances of shows called “Venus Delight” and “Queen of Hearts.” Performers in Adults-Only spaces might additionally find themselves dancing a part in “Fête De L'amour” or “Somebawdy to Love.” There are even spaces designed for the lovelorn, and entertainers stationed there may end up guiding singalongs to breakup songs and consoling intoxicated guests who can't get through the chorus of "Love Hurts" without breaking down. If you find yourself signed up to do something embarrassing, just throw some more glitter on yourself to hide whatever’s causing you shame. It’ll be fun if you let it.
With Valentine’s Day looming soon, the event floor is decked out for romance and decadence. A plush red carpet has been rolled out underfoot, providing a contrast to the white marble gaming tables. Everything is a shade of white, red, or pink, with floral accents and expensive strings of pearls providing a festive touch. Even the cigarette girls and boys are distributing more festive substances, like cigars that burn up in pink smoke.Everything seems arranged with the intent of bringing people together: the chairs are all a little closer than usual, and even some of the slot machine setups invite two players to share a machine and split their winnings. Staff are informed that several high rollers want to be surrounded by romance, and their job is to help facilitate that. When two neighbors win at roulette, winning chips should be passed over in a way that will all but force players’ hands to touch when they recover their winnings. If a dealer notices a spark between players, it might be the right time to swap to a marked deck and help make sure they win enough for a dopamine release into each other’s arms. Maybe it’s just a friendship! But maybe it can be something more than that. What could be a better icebreaker?
Bartenders on the event floor are given instructions to mix specialty drinks in addition to normal beverages. This time, the Elysium is featuring the following items: hatsukoi fizz, a light beverage that makes a person's mood as bubbly as the champagne tickling their nose, blushing rose, which makes a person a little more coquettish and flirty, the piercing arrow, a strong mix of intoxicants designed to lower inhibitions, and the (only available in Adult playspaces) widow’s kiss, a dark liquor that burns down the throat and spreads out from there, generating an uncontrollable passion that can only be satisfied with physical contact.
Performers will be asked to keep it romantic, largely featuring cabaret ensembles singing round-the-clock love songs and romantic ballads, broken up by ensemble performances of shows called “Venus Delight” and “Queen of Hearts.” Performers in Adults-Only spaces might additionally find themselves dancing a part in “Fête De L'amour” or “Somebawdy to Love.” There are even spaces designed for the lovelorn, and entertainers stationed there may end up guiding singalongs to breakup songs and consoling intoxicated guests who can't get through the chorus of "Love Hurts" without breaking down. If you find yourself signed up to do something embarrassing, just throw some more glitter on yourself to hide whatever’s causing you shame. It’ll be fun if you let it.
FEATURED GAME: CUPID’S CRUSH
In addition to the casino standards that are present with a pinkish facelift, the Event Floor provides plenty of places to play a limited-time game tailored to the current theme.
In Cupid's Crush, a group of two to six players around a table are given cards marked "secrets" and "deeds," each respectively symbolizing a hidden truth or a scandalous dare. One by one, each player will decide whether they want to participate in a round. If they’re staying in, they must submit a card from either pile. If a player folds, they are eliminated from the betting pool. Card submissions continue in this way, clockwise, until a player either can no longer play or no longer wants to continue. When their turn comes to play a card, a player can instead opt to trigger the betting phase.
The game ends when one of two possible conditions are met:
(1) A player is unwilling or unable to complete the tasks on the cards set in front of them. If they’ve bitten off more than they can chew, they are immediately declared Crushed.
(2) One player has won two rounds and completed all their challenges. The winning player may then choose which player at the table receives Cupid’s Crush.
Crushed players are the undisputed losers of the game. The penalty for receiving Cupid’s Crush is a sudden overwhelming infatuation with the winning player. (In cases where a player receives a crush after failing to fulfill the cards, the object of the infatuation is chosen by the Dealer.) Whether merely uninterested or actively married to someone else, Cupid’s Crush is an immediate obsession, bordering on worship.
There’s nothing sweeter than falling in love on such a romantic holiday, right? How could love be wrong? It seems like this is a game where everyone wins.
In Cupid's Crush, a group of two to six players around a table are given cards marked "secrets" and "deeds," each respectively symbolizing a hidden truth or a scandalous dare. One by one, each player will decide whether they want to participate in a round. If they’re staying in, they must submit a card from either pile. If a player folds, they are eliminated from the betting pool. Card submissions continue in this way, clockwise, until a player either can no longer play or no longer wants to continue. When their turn comes to play a card, a player can instead opt to trigger the betting phase.
The game ends when one of two possible conditions are met:
(1) A player is unwilling or unable to complete the tasks on the cards set in front of them. If they’ve bitten off more than they can chew, they are immediately declared Crushed.
(2) One player has won two rounds and completed all their challenges. The winning player may then choose which player at the table receives Cupid’s Crush.
Crushed players are the undisputed losers of the game. The penalty for receiving Cupid’s Crush is a sudden overwhelming infatuation with the winning player. (In cases where a player receives a crush after failing to fulfill the cards, the object of the infatuation is chosen by the Dealer.) Whether merely uninterested or actively married to someone else, Cupid’s Crush is an immediate obsession, bordering on worship.
There’s nothing sweeter than falling in love on such a romantic holiday, right? How could love be wrong? It seems like this is a game where everyone wins.
OFF DUTY
While half of the new arrivals file off to work on their shifts, everyone else is left to their own devices during their free time. Why not venture out and explore one of the locations in this new home of yours? Hang out in the back rooms and mingle with your new coworkers, or perhaps you’d rather head out and try out some games yourself? There seems to be plenty of reason to try out playing. Maybe you'll win big and get rid of all that new Debt of yours! Maybe you'll find a friend who's working a shift - why are they even going along with this crazy place, anyway?
Whatever they decide to do with their free time is up to them. Everything goes, as long as you show up for work on time when it’s your turn.
Whatever they decide to do with their free time is up to them. Everything goes, as long as you show up for work on time when it’s your turn.
no subject
[She really can't think of anything else to say to that. What else is there to say, really? It's the kind of thing that defies any comment she could make. It's not like she can ask him if he's okay. Obviously he's not okay. Who would be, after going through something like that?
Her blood boils when she thinks about the kind of person who would consign Jesse -- or anyone, honestly, but especially someone as kind and gentle as Jesse was when she knew him -- to a fate like that.
She laughs when he says she doesn't look so good, and offers a jokey:] Gee, thanks. You really know how to flatter somebody.
[She's kidding, though. She shrugs and sighs.]
I'm fine. Withdrawals, you know? They're a bitch.
no subject
[ Jesse knows that hindsight is 20/20, though, and back when he'd been with Jane he hadn't been in the right headspace to turn on Mr. White like that. Not then. Even when he deserved it, it had only been finding out about him poisoning Brock that really caused Jesse to change his tune and to see Walter White for what he really was--a monster. The devil. An evil, selfish man willing to destroy anything and anybody that he thought was in his way, stepping on his toes, or otherwise threatening his status as a kingpin.
But the subject shifts and Jesse is thankful for Jane's joke, even if it's a little bit at his expense. HE lets out a hoarse laugh and blows smoke from the corner of his mouth, waving his hand a little so it doesn't linger around them. His expression softens, though, when Jane mentions withdrawals. ]
You okay? I can...I can maybe find somethin' that'll help.
[ He almost cuts himself off, speaking up quickly before she can respond. ]
Not that.
[ Not heroin. He wouldn't dream of encouraging her down that road. Not after knowing what happened to her the last time he stood by and allowed it to happen. She's a grown woman. He isn't going to stop her if that's what she wants to do, but he'll make sure she's safe and he'll be damned if he's the one who supplies it to her. ]
Just like...I dunno, maybe something for anxiety. Take the edge off.
[ He's been prescribed a few things by medical considering his health situation. Nothing too strong, but he's willing to share if anything he has can help her. ]
no subject
[She says that half-sarcastically. Who knows what would have happened if they'd gotten away like they planned. Maybe they would've just ended up overdosing and dying on their own within a few months anyway.
Or maybe they would've ended up getting clean and living happily in New Zealand.
Now they'll never know.
Jane swallows guiltily when he cuts her off before she can speak. Suddenly, she really doesn't want him to know she was trying to get heroin before.
She looks interested in what he's saying though.]
Take the edge off? Like what? [She takes a breath.] I don't...know if I should be taking anything. I'm not like you, Jesse.
[She can't keep control of herself while she's using like he can, even if it's not heroin.
She's curious despite herself, though.]
no subject
He's not here to dwell on the past. He didn't fight so hard to survive just so he could sulk about everything he's been through. Yeah, he's got more trauma than he ever asked for and he hasn't even begun working through it, but now's not the time. ]
Nothing, like, hard-core or anything. They gave me some sleeping pills and something for anxiety. Like Xanax. I...know it's maybe counter-productive, but if it keeps you from tryin' to find other shit, I'll take that as a win.
[ He searches Jane's face, trying to read her reaction. ]
Or I could just. I dunno. If you need some company, uh, a distraction or something?
[ Jesse takes another drag off of his cigarette, his hands shaking a little. He has a bit of a tremor sometimes--he hasn't quite figured out if it's nerve damage or a nervous tic. There's a lot he hasn't sorted out yet. He's just glad he's somewhere that feels safe, for now. He looks at Jane, a silent apology written on his face. He's not the best at knowing how to comfort someone going through it, but he's trying. He's had to harden that soft side of himself just to make it out alive, but it isn't gone. Just buried. ]
no subject
On the other hand, she's never tried Xanax. The idea that something could fill the void of heroin is appealing, but seems too good to be true.]
I don't...
[She looks to Jesse for reassurance. Maybe even guidance.]
I don't know. What do you think? [She takes in a shaky breath.] I mean, do you think it's a good idea? 'Cause I'm not really... like you. I can't control myself.
Like, full disclosure: I have some weed. I would've just stayed in bed all day smoking it if something didn't... make me come here.
no subject
He worries at his lower lip with his teeth before sucking in a breath, nodding to himself. Yeah, giving an addict drugs is never a good idea. ]
I think...offering you shit was a dumb idea and I think you should get rid of the weed if you think it's gonna lead to other shit.
[ Jesse flicks the ash off the end of his cigarette, taking a last drag before he leans forward to crush it out in the ashtray on the nearby table. He doesn't lean back in his seat once he's done that, though, instead reaching for Jane's hand and squeezing it. ]
I'm here, y'know? I just--I hate seeing you feel shitty. But I know it won't last forever. I'm not gonna tell you what to do, but like...maybe the best course of action is to just bite the bullet and do this the hard way.
no subject
She sucks in air through her nose when he says she should do it the hard way.]
Yeah.
[It's impossible to keep the disappointment out of her voice entirely. But forces herself to look directly, and tries to smile. She pushes some hair back behind her ears.]
Yeah. You're right. It's, just... Hard, you know? To go cold turkey like that. [She pauses.]
I know it's selfish, but I'm glad you're here.
no subject
He winces a little bit at the disappointment in her voice. It's there, however slight, and it hurts, though her attempt at a smile lifts the heaviness from his heart ever so slightly. ]
Yeah. It's hard, I know. I got pretty bad on the stuff, but I went to rehab. Detoxing w as a real bitch. But, give it a few days and you'll start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You'll start feeling like your old self in like a week. And it's worth it. Doing it the hard way'll suck enough that that's what you'll think about next time you consider going back down that road.
[ Jesse offers Jane a sympathetic smile, takes her hand and just holds it, looking down at it for a few moments. ]
It's not selfish; not really. I mean, I was about to skip town when I got here anyway. Trying to start over someplace new. I guess this is as good a place as any. Fresh start.
no subject
[She says it almost absently. Softly.] It's not my first rodeo. I've done it enough times before. I know how it goes. Still sucks, though.
[But she appreciates his attempts at reassurance, and when she feels him holding her hand, she squeezes appreciatively. Her smile blossoms a little bit more. Just a little bit. When he looks down, her eyes follow his gaze.]
Yeah. [Her voice is almost dreamy.] Maybe for both of us. I've met people here who say they've been here for a few years already. Maybe... maybe for us that wouldn't be so bad. Stay here for a while. Figure things out.
[Does Jane resent the "you can't leave until you pay off your scam debt that you can't really pay off" thing? Kind of, in the sense that she resents any and all artificial restrictions of her movement and behavior.
But Jesse's on the run and Jane is, apparently, soon to be dead back home anywhere. Not like either of them have anywhere to be any time soon, so why not make the best of things here?]