<img src="images/2fiveminutes.jpg"> Five minutes late, at the moment - but it feels more like five hours. [[>>->You've been sitting]]<img src="images/3youvebeen.jpg"> You've been sitting here, at this table, alone for far too long. The waiters are starting to stare. [[>>->Is she even]]<img src="images/4issheeven.jpg"> Is she even coming? Has she forgotten? [[>>->Perhaps she's been]]<img src="images/5perhapsshesbeen.jpg"> Perhaps she's been delayed by the ruckus outside. Some kind of protest or march. The police were trying to shut the street when you arrived. [[>>->Perhaps you should]]<img src="images/6perhapsyoushould.jpg"> Perhaps you should give her a call. Although you don't want to seem needy... [[Call her]] [[Sit and wait]] [[Order another drink to calm your nerves]]<img src="images/7A1callher.jpg"> Your hands are slippery with sweat as you dial. Jessica makes you more nervous than any woman you've ever known. You pause for a second before punching the call button. [[>>->Ring. Ring]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/7B1sitandwait.jpg"> You rest your hands on the table in front of you. They're slick with sweat. Jessica makes you more nervous than any woman you've ever known. [[>>->The minutes tick]]<img src="images/6perhapsyoushould.jpg"> You flag down one of the waiters and order another beer. You're two drinks down already. It's Jessica. She makes your more nervous than any woman you've ever known. [[>>->Your drink arrives]]<img src="images/1sheslate.jpg"> She's late [[>>->Five minutes late]] (set: $score to 0) <img src="images/7C2yourdrinkarrives.jpg"> Your drink arrives, and you drain half the bottle in a single sip, almost choking on the frothy liquid. Just as you're recovering your composure, Jessica slips into the seat across from you. [[>>->Hope I didn't 3]]<img src="images/7B2minutestick.jpg"> The minutes tick by. You're starting to sweat all over now, and you can't stop yourself craning to look around at the door every few seconds. It's as you turn back from one of these desperate glances that Jessica slips into the seat across from you. [[>>->Hope I didn't 2]]<img src="images/7A2ringring.jpg"> Three rings. Four. And then the flat, robot tone of her voicemail. "Jessica is not available at the moment..." Panicking, you punch the red button and terminate the call... at the exact same moment as Jessica slips into the seat across from you. [[>>->Hope I didn't 1]]<img src="images/7A3hopeididnt.jpg"> "Hope I didn't keep you waiting long," she chirps. "It was crazy on the way over here." You fumble in your haste to slip your phone away into your pocket. "Jessica!" you blurt. [[>>->Hey she says]]<img src="images/7B3hopeididnt.jpg"> "Hope I didn't keep you waiting long," she chirps. "It was crazy on the way over here." You almost jump out of your skin in surprise. "Jessica!" you blurt. [[>>->Hey she says]]<img src="images/7C2yourdrinkarrives.jpg"> "Hope I didn't keep you waiting long," she chirps. "It was crazy on the way over here." You almost spill your beer in surprise. "Jessica!" you blurt. [[>>->Hey she says]]<img src="images/8Heyshesays.jpg"> "Hey," she says, smiling that wonderful smile she has. Neat white teeth and bright blue eyes. It's hard to believe someone as pretty as her even has the time of day for you. [["Can I get you a drink?"]]<img src="images/9canigetyou.jpg"> She smiles, and you order a glass of white wine apiece. When it comes, you clink glasses and drink. You almost choke on yours when Jessica says, "You know, I've been looking forward to this." [["Really?"]]<img src="images/9canigetyou.jpg"> "Of course," she says, "I never go out anymore. Not with everything that's going on at work. Did I tell you about Charlene?" [["Um... yeah. Sure. It sounds awful."]] [["Um... yeah. Sure. You must be pleased for her."]] [["Maybe. I don't quite remember."]]<img src="images/11A1umyeah.jpg"> "Oh it was," says Jessica. "She's on her final warning now. But then it was *so* unprofessional of her." You nod along, desperately trying to remember what it was that Charlene did. Thankfully, you're rescued by the arrival of the waiter. [[Order the steak.]] [[Order the fish.]] [[Order the chicken.]]<img src="images/11C1maybe.jpg"> "I'm sure I told you about it," says Jessica. "In fact, I messaged you about it. Remember? I know it's workplace gossip, but still..." You gape for a moment, desperately trying to think of something meaningful to say. Thankfully, you're rescued by the arrival of the waiter. [[Order the steak.]] [[Order the fish.]] [[Order the chicken.]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/11A2orderthe.jpg"> You risk a quick glance up to see if Jessica has noticed you ordering the most expensive dish on the menu. She doesn't react. Instead she simply orders the salad and hands her menu back to the waiter. As he disappears there's a brief lull in the conversation. Jessica sips her wine. From outside you can hear the noise of the protest: shouts and yells. [[Talk about work stuff.]] [[Talk about her hobbies.]]<img src="images/11A2orderthe.jpg"> You risk a quick glance up to see if Jessica has noticed you ordering the most healthy dish on the menu. She doesn't react. Instead she simply orders the salad and hands her menu back to the waiter. As he disappears there's a brief lull in the conversation. Jessica sips her wine. From outside you can hear the noise of the protest: shouts and yells. [[Talk about work stuff.]] [[Talk about her hobbies.]]<img src="images/11A2orderthe.jpg"> You risk a quick glance up to see if Jessica has noticed you ordering the most sophisticated dish on the menu. She doesn't react. Instead she simply orders the salad and hands her menu back to the waiter. As he disappears there's a brief lull in the conversation. Jessica sips her wine. From outside you can hear the noise of the protest: shouts and yells. [[Talk about work stuff.]] [[Talk about her hobbies.]]<img src="images/11B1umyeah.jpg"> A frown crosses Jessica's lovely face. "Of course not," she says. "She could lose her job. We may not be best friends, but I do still care about her." You gape for a moment, desperately trying to think of something meaningful to say. Thankfully, you're rescued by the arrival of the waiter. [[Order the steak.]] [[Order the fish.]] [[Order the chicken.]] (set: $score to it +2)<img src="images/12Atalkaboutwork.jpg"> As you wait for your food to arrive, you and Jessica chat about work. She doesn't seem overly interested in the conversation. Every so often she'll check her phone, or glance towards the door. You can feel yourself beginning to sweat again. [[>>->It's that damn 1]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/12Btalkabouthobbies.jpg"> As you wait for your food to arrive, you and Jessica chat about her urban foraging. She's smiling a lot, and you cannot stop yourself watching the shapes her mouth makes as she speaks. She really is rather beautiful. You can feel yourself starting to sweat again. [[>>->It's that damn 2]]<img src="images/14Aorderdrink.jpg"> You flag down a waiter and order another glass of wine apiece. Jessica doesn't bat an eyelid, and is soon halfway through her second. The world takes on a fuzzy edge as you nervously sip your own. The protest is right outside now, but it feels like it's a long way off. [[>>->For a while]]<img src="images/14Btakeaquick.jpg"> You excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, but on the way stop off and ask if they could turn the music up a notch. "The noise from outside is really... you know..." They nod, understandingly, and by the time you return to your table, the music has risen to a volume that comfortably covers the sounds of the protest. [[>>->For a while]]<img src="images/14Cflagdown.jpg"> You flag down a waiter and quietly ask if there are any other tables. He treats you to a raised pair of eyebrows. "I'm sorry sir, we're fully booked tonight." "Everything okay?" asks Jessica, as the waiter departs. The protest is right outside the window now, but you nod all the same. [[>>->Conversation haltingly resumes]] (set: $score to it +2)<img src="images/13Aitsthatdamn.jpg"> It's that damn protest that's probably distracting her. It really is quite noisy now. You're going to have to do something before she loses interest in you altogether. [[Order another drink - if she's drunk enough she won't notice.]] [[Take a quick trip to the bar and ask them to turn up the music.]] [[Flag down a waiter and ask if there are any other free tables.]]<img src="images/13Bifitwerent.jpg"> If it wasn't for that damn protest everything would be perfect. It really is quite noisy now. You can hear the shouts and yells even over the restaurant's background music. You'll have to do something quickly, before your evening is ruined. [[Order another drink - if she's drunk enough she won't notice.]] [[Take a quick trip to the bar and ask them to turn up the music.]] [[Flag down a waiter and ask if there are any other free tables.]]<img src="images/15Aforawhile.jpg"> For a while you're certain that you've saved your date... but it's not long before there's a loud thump against the nearby window. You jump, and Jessica almost spills her drink. [[>>->You both look]]<img src="images/15Aforawhile.jpg"> Conversation haltingly resumes, but you can see that Jessica is distracted by the noise and chaos from the other side of the window. She keeps glancing up and frowning. You cringe in your seat. Suddenly, there's a loud thump against the window. [[>>->You both look]]<img src="images/16youbothlook.jpg"> You both look up to see a bloodied, terrified-looking man pounding on the glass. There's a cut on his forehead leaking blood, and his eyes are wild. He pounds the glass, and mouths something that might be "Call an ambulance," although you can't be sure. [[>>->You dont have to look]]<img src="images/17youdonthavetolook.jpg"> You don't have to look at Jessica's expression to know that she's appalled. If you don't act swfitly, this interloper could spell the end of your date altogether. [[Obscure the man with a spare chair]] [[Distract Jessica by spilling something on her]]<img src="images/18A1coverthewindow.jpg"> Gallantly, you whip out a chair from under a nearby table and place it in front of the window pane. The man on the other side is still hammering on the glass, but at least you can't see him now. As you resume your seat, Jessica looks thoroughly unimpressed. [[>>->Restart the conversation]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/18B1spilldrink.jpg"> Thinking fast, you knock one of the wine glasses over, spilling a good quantity of crisp white on to Jessica's dress. She gasps and splutters, stumbling to her feet, and then stamping off in the direction of the bathroom. While she's gone, you try and shoo the bleeding man way from the window. [[>>->The man wont leave]] (set: $score to it +2)<img src="images/18A2restarttheconvo.jpg"> You try to pick up the threads of the conversation where you left off. It's hard work, but after a while you and Jessica are chatting again. The hammering against the window grows slowly weaker, and then stops altogether, and you breathe a sigh of relief. All in all, it's going pretty well when Jessica excuses herself to go to the toilet. [[>>->While Jessica is in]]<img src="images/18B2manwontleave.jpg"> The man won't leave. You pointedly turn your back on him, and after a while his hammering grows weaker, then stops altogether. You turn back to see that he's gone, leaving behind only a bloody smear on the window. You breathe a sigh of relief. [[>>->Things are looking up]]<img src="images/18A3whilejessicaisin.jpg"> While Jessica is in the bathroom you inspect your reflection in your phone screen and try to tame your hair. Things are looking good, you think. As you slip your phone away, however, there's an almighty crash, and shards of broken glass spray across your table. Someone has thrown what looks like a chunk of concrete in through the window. [[>>->To your horror]]<img src="images/18A3whilejessicaisin.jpg"> Things are looking up, you think. But no sooner have you taken a breath than there's an almighty crash, and shards of broken glass spray across your table. Someone has thrown what looks like a chunk of concrete in through the window. [[>>->To your horror]]<img src="images/19toyourhorror.jpg"> To your horror, you see that there's now glass all over Jessica's salad. You're not sure if you have enough money to cover a replacement. If she comes back and finds her food ruined, she definitely won't be impressed. [[Quickly pick the glass out]] [[Order a replacement salad and take the hit]] [[Offer to share your food with her when she gets back]]<img src="images/20Aquicklypick.jpg"> Moving quickly, you're able to pick out all of the little glass fragments just before Jessica gets back from the bathroom. She brushes a few off her chair and resumes her seat. "This is a bit of a strange place, isn't it?" she says, frowning. [[>>->Dessert Time]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/20Borderareplacement.jpg"> You flag down a waiter and order a replacement salad. It's just arriving as Jessica returns from the bathroom. "I got them to freshen up your salad," you say. "It was looking a little wilted." Jessica brushes a few fragments of glass of her chair and sits down. "This is a strange little place, isn't it?" she says, frowning. [[>>->Dessert Time]]<img src="images/20Coffertoshare.jpg"> Jessica returns from the bathroom and resumes her seat. "Where did my salad go?" she says. You feign ignorance. "Oh, you weren't done with it? The waiters took it. But here, why don't we just share." Jessica rolls her eyes, but then grabs a fork and leans across the table. It's almost romantic in a way. [[>>->Dessert Time]]<img src="images/21desserttime.jpg"> When you're both done with your mains, you order chocolate cake for dessert. There's an awful lot of commotion from outside, sirens mixing in with the shouts now. Jessica keeps casting worried glances in the direction of all the hubbub. [[>>->Thankfully the arrival]]<img src="images/22thankfullythearrival.jpg"> Thankfully, the arrival of two thick slices of richly-iced chocolate cake is enough to distract her. It's been a strange evening, but this might just about save it, you think. However, just as you're about to both dig in, the waiters start locking the doors and asking everyone to get under the tables. "It's for your own safety," they cry. [[>>->with a sigh you do]]<img src="images/23withasigh.jpg"> With a shared sigh, you and Jessica take your cake and clamber under the table. The ground is covered in broken glass and dirt. It's not all that romantic - especially as more windows are now smashing, and a whole crowd of people seem to be hammering on the doors. [[>>->take some action]]<img src="images/23withasigh.jpg"> You need to do something to make your little under-table hiding place a little more appealing, otherwise Jessica is bound to be unimpressed. [[Pull down the tablecloth to make a romantic den]] [[Fetch the candle from the tabletop]] [[Crawl out and grab a bottle of wine to share]]<img src="images/24Apulldown.jpg"> You tug down the tablecloth so that it shields the rest of the restaurant from view. Jessica smiles at you, and you smile back. Outside of your little den people are shouting, glass is smashing, and someone is wailing in distress. Inside, however, it's actually quite intimate. [[>>->you and jess cosy]]<img src="images/24B1fetchthecandle.jpg"> You fetch the candle from the tabletop, only to find that it has gone out. Luckily for you, someone hurls a blazing bottle of spirits through the window at that exact moment. A nearby chair erupts into flames, and you're able to relight the candle from that. Outside of your little den people are shouting, glass is smashing, and someone is wailing in distress. Inside, however, it's actually quite intimate. [[>>->You and Jessica cosy]] (set: $score to it +1)<img src="images/24B2crawlout.jpg"> You crawl out just long enough to snag a bottle of wine from a nearby table. The diners whose wine it is are cowering beneath, so they won't miss it. You narrowly avoid a flying brick on your way back, but Jessica smiles at you warmly as you crawl beneath the table once more. Outside of your little den people are shouting, glass is smashing, and someone is wailing in distress. Inside, however, it's actually quite intimate. [[>>->You and Jessica cosy]]<img src="images/25Byouandjessica.jpg"> You and Jessica cosy up to one another under the table. It sounds as though the protestors are inside the restaurant now, and are smashing everything they can get their hands on. There are screams and cries, and you can smell upholstery burning. (if: $score is <5)[ [[>>->Hug Jessica reassuringly]] ] (if: $score is >5)[ [[>>->Try and hug Jessica]] ]<img src="images/26B1hugreassuringly.jpg"> You hug Jessica reassuringly, and she rests her head on your shoulder for a moment, before heaving a deep sigh. "Come on," she says, "let's make a run for it together, before they find us." [[>>->Off we go]]<img src="images/26B2tryandhug.jpg"> You put a reassuring arm around Jessica, but she doesn't seem to want it. She shoves you away. "I'm going home," she says. "And I think you'd better come with me, before those thugs out there find us." [[>>->Off you go]]<img src="images/27B1offwe.jpg"> Jessica dives out from under the table and sprints for a nearby fire exit. You follow along close behind. The protestors are smashing tables and raiding tills. A few of them are beating one of the waiters bloody. You scurry from the restaurant after Jessica, and the pair of you run as fast as you can until you've left the protest far behind. [[>>->Doorstop]]<img src="images/27B1offwe.jpg"> The pair of you dive out from under the table and sprint for a nearby fire exit, hand in hand. The protestors are smashing tables and raiding tills. A few of them are beating one of the waiters bloody. You and Jessica burst from the restaurant and run as fast as you can until you've left the protest far behind. [[>>->Doorstep]]<img src="images/28Adoorstep.jpg"> You slow to a walk, and stroll hand in hand in the direction of Jessica's apartment. By the time you arrive your breathing has returned to normal, but your heart is still racing. "So," you say tentatively, "can I... um... see you again sometime?" [[>>->Hmm]]<img src="images/28Adoorstep.jpg"> Jessica slow to a rapid walk, and you join her. She's looking at her phone as she walks, her mouth a thin line, not saying a word. By the time you arrive at the front door to her apartment your breathing has returned to normal, but your heart is still racing. "So," you say tentatively, "can I... um... see you again sometime?" [[>>->Hmmo]]<img src="images/29Ahmm.jpg"> Jessica smiles, and kisses you lightly on the mouth. "I'd like that," she says. And then she's gone inside before you can utter another word. You turn and head home, and as you stroll along you feel as though you're floating about an inch above the pavement. Just for once, things seem to be okay. Just for once, everything is right with the world. THE END [[>>->Title]]<img src="images/29Bhmm.jpg"> Jessica sighs heavily and treats you to a scowl. "What do you think?" she huffs, and then she's gone inside before you can utter another word. You turn and head home, and as you trudge along the pavement you can't help but feel as though you're walking under your own personal raincloud. Why does everything bad always have to happen to you? THE END [[>>->Title]]<img src="images/25Ayouandjesscosy.jpg"> You and Jessica cosy up to one another under the table. It sounds as though the protestors are inside the restaurant now, and are smashing everything they can get their hands on. There are screams and cries, and you can smell upholstery burning. (if: $score is <5)[ [[>>->hug jess]] ] (if: $score is >5)[ [[>>->try to hug]] ]<img src="images/25Ayouandjesscosy.jpg"> You hug Jessica reassuringly, and she rests her head on your shoulder for a moment, before heaving a deep sigh. "Come on," she says, "let's make a run for it together, before they find us." [[>>->off we]]<img src="images/25Ayouandjesscosy.jpg"> You put a reassuring arm around Jessica, but she doesn't seem to want it. She shoves you away. "I'm going home," she says. "And I think you'd better come with me, before those thugs out there find us." [[>>->off you]]<img src="images/27A1offwe.jpg"> The pair of you dive out from under the table and sprint for a nearby fire exit, hand in hand. The protestors are smashing tables and raiding tills. A few of them are beating one of the waiters bloody. You and Jessica burst from the restaurant and run as fast as you can until you've left the protest far behind. [[>>->Doorstep]]<img src="images/27A1offwe.jpg"> Jessica dives out from under the table and sprints for a nearby fire exit. You follow along close behind. The protestors are smashing tables and raiding tills. A few of them are beating one of the waiters bloody. You scurry from the restaurant after Jessica, and the pair of you run as fast as you can until you've left the protest far behind. [[>>->Doorstop]]<img src="images/0title.jpg"> [[>>->She's late]]