I rubbed my left eye, thinking that my right one was still damaged.
/-----------\
-You died from asphyxiation..-
Lung Capacity Lv.1 activated!
(You feel your lungs expanding ever so greatly!)
-You lost your eye..-
Unfortunately, the damage cannot be repaired.
Preparing compensation.
.
.
\-----------/
"What?" I said, but my voice was muted. I reached up towards my eye and, yeah, it was… Not good, still, but my eyelid was shut completely.
/-----------\
Advanced Eye Lv.2 activated!
(One eye has the power of two and your other eye appears functional!)
[Preparing your first Rewind..!]
-The time between Take end and begin is short so return is in 10 seconds..-
\-----------/
Again, I was completely dumb-founded. What the fuck was this? I sat up. The black and white menu looked familiar, but I couldn't place it, but the wording? "Take"? "Scene"? "Rewind"? Are you kidding me? Those are all terms relating to T.V.s.. This is fucking dumb. What the hell is this?
3..
2..
1..
Suddenly, my eyes closed again, and my body was forced down, I couldn't move for a moment, but when that happened, I didn't feel anything. Soon, I was back in the cell. I shuddered, before opening my eye, everything looked oddly clear, and I had my depth perception back, I closed my left eye, but it was still like the visual signals were still coming from one eye. Although I noticed something, my eyesight was better? I forgot about my glasses, entirely, too. But my eyesight was better than when I wore my glasses, which is why I noticed the perfect sight that I had now.
The T.V. on the wall played the same message, and this time, I put the coin bag under my mattress. Either-way, I was clearly in a groundhog's day situation. I didn't need food now, however, that can be done later. I then stood by the door of my cell and waited for the countdown to end. And like last time, everything was the same. The door opened and everyone came out like they did before.
Nothing was different from my first Take. But why?
Why was this happening? To me, especially? I could only help to immediately appoint myself as a protagonist, but it's not something that I am proud of. I don't want to be like this. I was fine to die how I did, so why was I back here? As soon as I thought that, a window popped up in front of me, it looked like a T.V.
/-----------\
[Director Jack P. Carson appears to be reconsidering his hiring for this production. We will exempt him from his role if he wishes.]
-Do you really want to quit?-
Yes No
\-----------/
They- this thing is really giving me this choice? I quickly go back over to the bed, the window following me, and I sit down on it.
I should just end this now, right? I lost my eye, I don't care about how I look, or if I have better vision, this shit is fucked. An infinite loop like some Bill Murray film? It's a bit over-done, but the way they are changing it up is pretty nice- wait a fucking minute, I'm no director! I move my hand to the "Yes" option, before pulling it back. Fucking hell, the people need me, at least to deal with those stupid fucking brothers. Jesus, man… I'll go for one more take, but that's it.
I stood up, pressing "No" as I walked through the door to my cell. Luckily, the coin bag wasn't on me, and it seems I came out in time to catch the two men walking through the group of people to get on the table once more. I then cleared my throat, raising my hands and waving them. This idea may go wrong...
"HEY!! YOU TWO!! WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY COINS?! I SAW YOU TAKE THEM OUT OF MY BAG AND PUT THEM INTO YOURS"
Everyone suddenly turned to me. Those who didn't looked at the two burley men as if they knew who did it. Then, the two stopped and looked at me, before approaching me. The bald one flicked my forehead and shoved me "No we fucking didn't. What are you trying to say, man?"
"You took my coins! I saw it! Look at these vending machines, you need the coins for food! You're trying to steal from us like we won't know?"
The short haired one then punched me, only it was more of a shove "Yeah, what if we did, huh?"
"So, you admitted to it?"
"Yeah, you know what, fuck you, we did."
I then whispered "great, cause it was a fucking lie."
"They stole my coins too!" The black haired woman raised her voice.
"Yeah, those two guys are fucking thieves! They took mine as well!" Nick quickly added.
Soon, the group was in an outrage, and I quickly ran. The two followed me, but I had better mobility than they did, so I hopped over the table and they couldn't follow, the group ran over to them and hopped on them, the two were restrained and the coins were reacquired. While they were down, they tried to shout "HE WAS LYING, MOTHER FUCKER WAS LYING"
"Oh yeah? Who'd believe you?"
"Yeah, so you're gonna say the small guy stole from you instead? yeah right."
"Give us our coins motherfucker!"
The reality was, maybe they didn't steal any coins at all. They took mine last Take, but who cares about that? I do, sure, I guess. But what will they do when nobody's on their side anymore? Nick came up from behind me and chuckled "Man, how'd you get this whole group on your side? I'm sure everyone is meant to have coins, but us niners? Yeah, we get the bags." He was right, he had a nine as the last digit on his uniform #723489 specifically. "Nah, I don't think so. To be honest, I know one of them. He robbed my friend's place, turns out he was an elusive robber, since the police have known about him for a long while. His twin is his brother, they aren't really a duo, though, but they are close."
Nick believed me, after a bit of thinking. I just lied to him, though. Maybe Nick is too gullible? Although, if I do go around again, maybe a different method would be better.
"So, what's your name? We.. Might wanna get acquainted, yeah? If we want to be friends, that is..." I turned to Nick and nodded "Yeah, my name's Jack, Jack Carson" I raised my hand in the shape of finger guns. Nick smiled brightly "You quoted bond..." He grabbed my hand and shook it vigorously. "I'm Nicholas Trainfield, it's nice to meet you!"
=======
A half hour had passed, and the group calmed down. Turns out, they weren't the only one that got caught taking coins, and while they did have some, others had more. So, at least that was dealt with, but the actual game show is something I have no preparations for. And, I also forgot what it was. But, I'm sure it wasn't much of a hassle. If anything, how could it be? But, wait, it can't be that simple. I shouldn't have something like the Rewinds if I really had nothing to use it for. And I'm not guessing that I'll need it for getting every answer right. Something about the trivia has to have a sense of danger to it. Or something unfair.
Nick had popped up from behind me and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Yo, you're looking quite thin" I looked up at him, he was probably right. Although it's more noticeable on my arms and torso than my face, thank god for that, not like my looks were much anyway.
"I got you some food to eat, you should eat it up as quickly as possible… So nobody tries to steal it."
I nodded, looking up to him from my seat, "thank you, that's very kind of you." Nick had sat down next to me, I began eating my food. After eating a few bites I looked to Nick "The game's coming up, but I can't shake the feeling that there's going to be something up with it. Like… People will die, or something."
Nick squinted for a bit and bit his lip "eh, I don't think so. Really, it'd be a bit stupid to do that."
"But only one can win?"
"Ah.. Yeah. You're probably right..."
A silence fell between us two, and I continued eating. Before long, Nick spoke up once more "What was your life like… Back on Earth?"
I remained silent for a moment. I didn't know what to say, my life was pathetic. "Well. I watched TV quite a bit, and had a job, and stuff. My family was out of state, so..."
Nick nodded, patting my back a bit… Was what I said sad? "It'- It's fine, really."
Nick spoke up himself "Eh, I figured you weren't living too good of a life… Because of that, I.. Kinda don't wanna say nothing."
I nodded, taking in a deep breath, finishing my food. Once I was done, I stood up, and nudged Nick a bit "Well, like you did to me, I can tell you're not doing very well, you must be missing your family, right?"
Nick looked up to me and looked back down "A little, yeah.."
"Well don't worry, I plan to ace this game and help you get back home."
Nick smiled at me, and watched me go back to my room, at which I sat down and thought. How could I prepare for this next game? I'm not one to like let's plays, or, really games in general. But I gained some sorta skills. Only two though. I haven't leveled up or anything, either. Maybe I had a skill menu. I didn't want to speak to myself, since the cell doors remain wide open at all times, so I thought 'skill menu'. That did nothing. So, I tried to focus my will on that thought 'Skill. Menu.' Still didn't work. Maybe it wasn't a 'Skill menu'? What could be used instead.. I couldn't think of much, I really only watched things on cable, and that had nothing extra, really.. So, I thought of everything, 'channels, pay per view, extras-'
Suddenly, a window popped up.
/-----------\
Extras:
Bonus Features [|||]
Character Profile [X]
Deleted Scenes [X]
Back [ ]
\-----------/
That's more like it… But a few things were missing. I could select back, but Character Profile and Deleted Scenes were inaccessible. I tapped on the Character Profile, another window opened up. But before I checked it, I tapped on Deleted Scenes.
/-----------\
Can only access Character Profile when you reach Lv. 5
Can only access Deleted Scenes when you reach Lv. 10
\-----------/
For fuck's sake, level limits on the character menu..?
It's fine for Deleted Scenes, but I don't even know what that could be.
I shook my head and tapped again on Bonus Features.
/-----------\
Lung Capacity Lv. 1
Advanced Eye Lv. 2
??? Lv. 10 (Max)
??? Lv. 5
??? Lv. 1
\-----------/
Aaand, a block on the "Features" I have? Attempting to tap on them resulted in a dull thud sound. One of them was maxed out, though. Must be a great sign.
I looked back at the other menu, and saw something new..
/-----------\
Can only access hidden Bonus Features when you reach Lv. 5!
Can only access hidden Bonus Features when you reach Lv. 5!
\-----------/
Another level block? How do I even level up anyway? Sheesh… I stood up and tapped on the other Features I have.
/-----------\
Lung Capacity Lv. 1 your breath can casually be held for 1 minute! When actively losing air, you can last for 30 seconds! Can be leveled up by holding your breath, and pushing your body to its limit!
Advanced Eye Lv. 2 as compensation for losing your right eye forever, you now have the power of two eyes within your left one. Your vision is perfect! You have depth perception! You have the ability to notice slight mistakes easier! Your right eye looks undamaged! Can be leveled up through natural usage of all abilities. (Cannot get xp faster using normal xp bonuses)
\-----------/
Ah, this is better, now I can see how to level up the Features I do have. So, that's neat. I stood up, closing all menus that were open. The televisions in our rooms displayed a clock, (which I had only noticed this Take.)
There were 40 minutes left, and there was not much to do to spend it. However. The only way to know how to beat the trivia show was to just experience it in the first place.