404/game/day2/scene3

Screenshot background: the game table, narrator’s point of view. Val has a dreamworks face; Kade looks at her, grimacing. Across from them, Cyrus appears lost in thought, while Rudy is shocked.

Rudy: UGH, really?!

code: {if helper}

Rudy: I swear that was a fluke, $joker. It’ll go better next time.

code: {/if}

code: {if not helper}

Rudy: That’s such BS. I should’ve lasted at least another round.

code: {/if}

Val: Win some, lose some, kiddo~

Rudy: And will you stop calling me “kiddo”? For fuck’s sake, I’m almost in high school!

Val: You look awful young to me!

Kade: GUYS.

Rudy: You know what, I wanted to stay home today!

Cyrus looks concerned. Kade looks miffed.

Kade: Blocks all night again?

Rudy: It’s more fun than you losers.

Cyrus: All right, I think it’s time to take a br—

Val: What, isn’t all this conflict the most amusing thing ever?

narrator: (It’s Val’s move, but she doesn’t seem interested in the game at all.)

Val: Do you have a life outside here?

Kade: (Oh my fucking god...)

Rudy: What’s THAT supposed to mean?

Val: I’m just wondering who your friends are!

Rudy: None of your BUSINESS.

The sprite placement has Val’s hand covering Kade’s face.

narrator: I don’t think Val is listening…

Val: Names? How you met? Anything?

Kade: Oh, the game uses screennames. I don’t think anyone actually—

Rudy: Does it fucking matter?! Why’s it so important everyone and their mother knows my entire friend group?

Cyrus: Having a support system is vital to anyone’s well-being.

Val: What’s your mom’s name?

Val is getting too close for comfort.

narrator: (She’s all eyes for Rudy... His face is bright red and he looks ready to scream.)

Kade: OKAY, lesson learned, friends and getting along are important!

Cyrus: And so is not telling anyone, even your closest companions, the answer to common password security questions.

narrator: (I can’t tell if Cyrus is trying to defuse the situation or if they’re actually that oblivious.)

Rudy: Fine, you want names? My friends are Cyrus, $joker… K-Kade…

Kade: Rudy, you don’t have to—

Val: Aw, what, no love for me?

A cutscene graphic, sketchy and lined, shows Rudy head-on, furious.

narrator: Suddenly, Rudy stands up and slams the table.

Rudy: ME, MYSELF, AND I. THERE.

Another cutscene graphic, with the following narration: Val sits back, unamused. Kade puts her head in her hands. Cyrus just looks surprised to have been called a friend.

narrator: (Rudy sits down with a huff. Val is silent.)

narrator: (Cyrus reaches out, but Rudy swats their hand away and slinks off the chair.)

Rudy: I’m gonna grab a snack. Kade, yell for me when you’re done.

Cyrus: Er, wait, you still—

narrator: (The door slams shut behind Rudy.)

Cyrus: —had a move.

The sprites show the aftermath. Val glances aside; Kade is facepalming; Cyrus is uncertain.

narrator: I don’t think anyone feels like playing anymore.

narrator: (After what feels like an eternity, Kade stands up too.)

Kade: Be right back. Val, can we talk for a sec?

narrator: (Without waiting for a response, s/he grabs Val by the arm and pulls her away. Val, unphased, flashes me a grin on the way out, like she wants me to know she expected this.)

Only Cyrus remains onscreen.

Cyrus: Well, that was unexpected.