THE EXIGENT SEASONS — 12 of 20

Part 3 - Talking Time

Talking Time is a recurring scene. Talking Time begins when the player is in the Present. Talking Time ends when the player is not in the Present.

Every turn during Talking Time:

if a random number from 1 to 11 is greater than 2, say "[one of][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][Trev sounds][or][nature sounds][or][time passing sounds][as decreasingly likely outcomes]".

Trev's speaker is a device with description "Little more than a box mounted to the wall with a dial and a cable snaking up the staircase to his computer, somewhere on the level above.". Trev's speaker is switched off. Check switching off Trev's speaker: say "[first time]Trev can be unusually stubborn. [only]If you try to turn his speaker off, [one of]he's[or]Trev's[stopping] just going to turn it back on." instead.

To say music sounds:

say "[first time][initiator][only][if Trev's speaker is switched on][one of][alt music][or][alt music][or][an ad][or][alt music][or][an ad][as decreasingly likely outcomes][else][nature sounds][end if]"

To say initiator:

now Trev's speaker is switched on;

say "Trev stands up for a moment. 'While you think about that, let's have some music.' He flips the switch on a speaker mounted over the stairs before settling back down on his sofa. ".

Instead of listening while Trev's speaker is switched on, say "[first time]You spend a little longer than usual listening to Trev's speaker. [only][music sounds]"

To say an ad:

say "[one of]On the radio, [or]The radio plays [or]From Trev's speaker, [or]From the speaker, [or]From the radio, [or]During the break, [or]You listen as [as decreasingly likely outcomes][one of]a DJ[or]a spokesperson[or]a loud voice[or]a quiet voice[or]a minor celebrity[or]a disc jockey[or]a familiar voice you can't quite place[or]some comedian[or]a fast-talking man[or]a soft-voiced woman[or]a happy-sounding woman[or]a drawling man[or]a precocious child[or]an artificial voice[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]suggests you should be[or]asks you to start[or]commands listeners to start[or]considers[or]talks about[or]lists the benefits of[or]exhorts you to start[or]endorses[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]buying[or]investing in[or]shopping for[or]purchasing[or]purchasing[or]buying[or]owning[or]ordering[or]sampling[or]taking out a lease on[or]promoting[or]researching[or]giving away[or]stealing[as decreasingly likely outcomes] [one of]as-seen-on-TV gadgets[or]cast-iron cookware[or]a used car[or]repossessed cars[or]monogrammed towels[or]series-TT traveler's cheques[or]memory foam athletic shoes[or]tiered program memberships[or]greeting cards[or]heirloom tableware[or]novelty welcome mats[or]poured countertops[or]over-the-counter decongestant[or]subscription swimwear[or]pet supplements[or]pneumatic power tools[or]organic gardening gloves[or]seasonal laundry detergent[or]soybean futures[or]double-C batteries[or]reusable television covers[or]canned air[or]disposable cameras[or]Blue Zinfandel[or]vanity basketballs[or]vape accessories[or]an animatronic finch[or]salad tongs[or]cedar chips[or]a novelty energy drink[or]calligraphy pens[or]a CD containing a recording of this very commercial (and many more like it)[or]name-brand carpeting[or]themed furniture[or]remaindered bus parts[or]discount auto insurance[or]bail bonds[or]time with a workplace-negligence lawyer[or]time with a personal trainer[or]tube socks[or]live bait[or]a personal message from an actual billionaire[or]tax advice[or]legal counseling[or]pancake molds[or]Wyoming potatoes[or]clearance-priced coffins[or]a countertop deep-frier[or]gingerbread house kits[or]a make-your-own-children's-book kit[or]telegraph pole insulators[or]a best-of album for an artist whose name you couldn't make out[or]midrange headphones[or]coconut-based seasoning[or]cat beds[or]name-brand diet cola[or]tattoo-removal services[or]vasectomy-reversal services[or]educational software[or]gymnasium supplies[or]jewelry polish[or]alcohol-free salsa[or]video-editing software[or]foam-tipped clothing hangers[or]canned foods[or]waterproof pillowcases[or]ad campaigns[or]notary services[or]mail-order psychic consultation[or]tea cozies[or]spiced meat substitute[or]aluminum chaff[or]detangler spray[or]a signed-and-annotated encyclopedia[or]a dozen empty buckets[or]the first-ever golf balls to contain moon dust[or]concentrated peach fuzz[or]pruning shears[purely at random]."

To say alt music:

say "[one of]The radio plays [italic type][song names][roman type] by [band names].[or]A song by [band names] titled [italic type][song names][roman type] plays.[or]The speaker plays [italic type][song names][roman type] by [band names].[or]They're playing something by [band names], but you missed the name.[or]The song is [italic type][song names][roman type], but you didn't catch the artist.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]".

To say band names:

say "[one of]the [band noun]s[or]the [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or][band first name] and the [band noun]s[or]the [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or]the [band noun]s[or]The [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name][or][band adjective] [band first name][or][band last name] [band noun][or][band first name] the [band adjective][or][band first name] the [band adjective] [band noun][or][band specific][or][band adjective] [band first name] and the [band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band noun][as decreasingly likely outcomes]".

To say band noun:

say "[one of]Weight[or]Beast[or]Siren[or]Ape[or]Churchyard[or]Hammer[or]Dagger[or]Watcher[or]Statue[or]Voice[or]Guide[or]Dancer[or]Person[or]Tower[or]King[or]Queen[or]Tempest[or]Moon[or]Victor[or]Villain[or]Angel[or]Demon[or]Devil[or]Spiral[or]Gold[or]Diamond[or]Heart[or]Club[or]Emerald[or]Sapphire[or]Opal[or]Well[or]Trough[or]Peak[or]Loser[or]Winner[or]Dinner[or]Snake[or]Eight[or]Jackal[or]Suspect[or]Jewel[or]Seed[or]Panther[or]Crystal[or]Warden[or]Watcher[or]Kitten[or]Mask[or]Frog[or]Wall[or]Funk[or]Punk[or]Grape[or]Color[or]Hymn[or]Plank[or]Truck[or]Hill[or]Valley[or]River[or]Mountain[or]Island[or]Cube[or]Circle[or]Doodle[or]Actor[or]Window[or]Hall[or]Chip[or]Banana[or]Cloak[or]Casserole[or]Ear[or]Nose[or]Hand[or]Finger[or]Cave[or]Tunnel[or]Ant[or]Spider[or]Wrist[or]Moon[or]Sickle[or]Hood[or]Fringe[or]Regent[or]Scale[or]Needle[or]Ray[or]Chicken[or]Wing[or]Canteen[or]Tomb[or]Nozzle[or]Bandage[or]Drink[or]Beer[or]Tea[or]Star[or]Hair[or]Shot[or]Barrow[or]Barrel[or]Dog[or]Cub[or]Team[or]Youth[or]Label[or]Artist[or]Curb[or]Etching[or]Blindfold[or]Ring[or]Shadow[or]Silhouette[or]Train[or]Sled[or]Ship[or]Iron[or]Fetter[or]Scalpel[or]Key[or]Wheel[or]Pistol[or]Shard[or]Preacher[or]Trainer[or]Steeple[or]Star[or]Stink[or]Channel[or]Yawn[or]Shade[or]Stem[or]Twig[or]Tree[or]Swamp[or]Light[or]Glow[or]Prayer[or]Song[or]Chain[or]Note[or]Sign[or]Arrow[or]Word[or]Strike[or]Shard[or]Lamp[or]Cup[or]Locket[or]Pentagram[or]Cord[or]Servant[or]Monitor[or]House[or]Home[or]Gesture[or]Symbol[or]Signal[or]Comet[or]Constellation[or]Filter[or]Drain[or]Pipe[or]Tail[or]Slipper[or]Crown[or]Bill[or]Coin[or]Purse[or]Handbag[or]Desk[or]Otter[or]Bear[or]Lion[or]Shell[or]Clam[or]Lobster[or]Crab[or]Oven[or]Mushroom[or]Signet[or]Gauntlet[or]Shield[or]Pike[or]Courtyard[or]Blade[or]Pet[or]Robe[or]Slip[or]Part[or]Rumble[or]Dance[or]Emblem[or]Single[or]Pair[or]Trio[or]Quartet[or]Quintet[or]Friend[or]Lover[or]Partner[or]Claw[or]Hook[or]Shackle[or]Vein[or]Thigh[or]Boot[or]Shovel[or]Hill[or]Howl[or]Sand[or]Lip[or]Needle[or]Drink[or]Smile[or]Frown[or]Shrug[or]Skull[or]Chill[or]Tremor[or]Kick[or]Leap[or]Swing[or]Slide[or]Street[or]Brick[or]Gutter[or]Worm[or]Beam[or]Shiver[or]Salamander[or]Clamp[or]Tongue[or]Seed[or]Drop[or]Clasp[or]Toy[or]Plaything[or]Vision[or]Mirage[or]Picture[or]Painting[or]Image[or]Carving[purely at random]".

To say band adjective:

say "[one of]Red[or]Orange[or]Brown[or]Black[or]Green[or]Grand[or]Elder[or]Younger[or]Grey[or]Sisterly[or]Brotherly[or]Big[or]Best[or]Victorious[or]Lost[or]Found[or]Fifth[or]Frozen[or]Frosted[or]Toasted[or]Bubbling[or]Wracked[or]Burnt[or]Electric[or]Disestablished[or]Salty[or]Beloved[or]Noted[or]Looping[or]Marble[or]Plated[or]Serene[or]Deep[or]High[or]Silent[or]Cold[or]Still[or]Dry[or]Rocky[or]Wrapped[or]Chocolate[or]Sweet[or]Lime[or]Sour[or]Glass[or]Buckled[or]Variegated[or]Esoteric[or]Somber[or]Ochre[or]Cylindrical[or]Terrycloth[or]Striped[or]Spotted[or]Checked[or]Missing[or]Dirty[or]Windy[or]Broken[or]Unkind[or]Friendly[or]Charming[or]Sobbing[or]Sticky[or]Shaky[or]Sharp[or]Tall[or]Narrow[or]Shady[or]Stone[or]Stolen[or]Unchained[or]Opalescent[or]Rabid[or]Round[or]Pure[or]Suspended[or]Spoiled[or]Terrible[or]Chilled[or]Slinking[or]Blind[or]Towering[or]Ancient[or]Calamitous[or]Forgotten[or]Forbidden[or]Raucous[or]Webbed[or]Shaken[or]Brazen[or]Welcome[or]Scented[or]Charged[or]Unfolding[or]Warped[or]Inappropriate[or]Blurred[or]Prehensile[or]Throbbing[or]Surrendered[or]Magnetic[or]Reticulated[or]Bronze[or]Hammered[or]Wounded[or]Chipped[or]Drained[or]Stretched[or]Spindled[or]Folded[or]Gilded[or]Maimed[or]Towering[or]Thunderous[or]Echoing[or]Doomed[or]Blessed[or]Marked[or]Sudden[or]Abrupt[or]Stained[or]Wilted[or]Engulfed[or]Slimy[or]Hallowed[or]Razor-Thin[or]Chunky[or]Heavy[or]Squat[or]Square[or]Opaque[or]Transparent[or]Translucent[or]Published[or]Earnest[or]Honest[or]Duplicitous[or]Chrome[or]Teetering[or]Flimsy[or]Rich[or]Thick[or]Stunted[or]Wavering[or]Tidal[or]Gritty[or]Dusty[or]Rough[or]Smooth[or]Slick[or]Cherished[or]Spare[or]Stolen[or]Wet[or]Sodden[or]Wordy[or]Forlorn[or]Flexing[or]Stinking[or]Fetid[or]Touched[or]Dyed[or]Ruptured[or]Wounded[or]Dire[or]Sinking[or]Eaten[or]Buried[purely at random]".

To say band sound:

say "[one of]boo[or]bee[or]ba[or]doo[or]bop[or]be[or]wop[or]tunk[or]tonk[or]tink[or]hey[or]hoo[or]haa[or]hum[or]hee[or]bum[or]drum[or]diddle[or]derry[or]dangle[or]dingle[or]jingle[or]jangle[or]shoo[or]Boo[or]Bee[or]Ba[or]Doo[or]Bop[or]Be[or]Wop[or]Tunk[or]Tonk[or]Tink[or]Hey[or]Hoo[or]Haa[or]Hum[or]Hee[or]Bum[or]Drum[or]sha[or]shoo[or]she[or]ka[or]koo[or]ke[purely at random]".

To say band first name:

say "[one of]John[or]Alphonse[or]Jana[or]Jimmy[or]Millie[or]Sybil[or]Davey[or]Cassie[or]Ellie[or]Sam[or]Elise[or]Derek[or]Kelly[or]Brian[or]Diane[or]Tiffy[or]Angel[or]Frank[or]Philomena[or]Alice[or]Enid[or]Lillian[or]Silas[or]Colin[or]Cara[or]Elizabeth[or]Andrea[or]Jackie[or]Peyton[or]Edith[or]Harmonica[or]Jack[or]Leah[or]Amelia[or]Jen[or]Jenny[or]Benny[or]Smith[or]Henderson[or]Francis[or]Ezra[or]Eric[or]Sarah[or]Amber[or]Adam[or]Bethany[or]Bruce[or]Carla[or]Charles[or]Deb[or]Davis[or]Elliot[or]Erin[or]Fred[or]Freya[or]Gregor[or]Georgia[or]Houston[or]Harmony[or]Isabel[or]Isaac[or]Juan[or]Jocasta[or]Keith[or]Keira[or]Lisa[or]Louis[or]Madison[or]Malcolm[or]Neveah[or]Newton[or]Olivia[or]Orville[or]Priscilla[or]Patrick[or]Quincy[or]Rachael[or]Robert[or]Sean[or]Stephanie[or]Tim[or]Takako[or]Umberto[or]Victoria[or]Virgil[or]Wally[or]Wendy[or]Yolanda[or]York[or]Xochitl[or]Alice[or]Barry[or]Clara[or]Dan[or]Elle[or]Fenton[or]Grant[or]Hilde[or]Ira[or]June[or]Kevin[or]Leland[or]Mae[or]Nell[or]Olive[or]Paulette[or]Roger[or]Steve[or]Terry[or]William[or]Karl[or]Lukas[or]Be[or]Andrew[or]Bob[or]Christopher[or]Drew[or]Emmett[or]Finn[or]George[or]Hugh[or]Jim[or]Kim[or]Lonnie[or]Mitchell[or]Nathan[or]Otis[or]Phil[or]Quentin[or]Ricky[or]Steve[or]Truong[or]Van[or]Willy[or]Ann[or]Beatrix[or]Charlene[or]Danielle[or]Erica[or]Fiona[or]Gina[or]Jessica[or]Kendra[or]Louisa[or]Mary[or]Nina[or]Ophelia[or]Penelope[or]Renata[or]Sybil[or]Tenelle[or][band sound][purely at random]".

To say band last name:

say "[one of]Allison[or]Truant[or]Trimbal[or]Acres[or]MacArthur[or]Chamberlain[or]Standish[or]Lindsborg[or]Hutchinson[or]Davis[or]Green[or]Mims[or]Lane[or]Torres[or]Valence[or]Robertson[or]Miller[or]Painter[or]Potts[or]Wilcox[or]McCarthy[or]Ross[or]Russell[or]Smith[or]Atchison[or]C[or][band first name][or]Houck[or]Huey[or]Abilene[or]Bennett[or]Carlisle[or]Doherty[or]Epperson[or]Fitzgerald[or]Gant[or]Hoffman[or]Inez[or]Jackson[or]Kitchen[or]Lemaster[or]Murdock[or]Nunez[or]Ott[or]Pointner[or]Quarterman[or]Reyes[or]Sadowski[or]Takeda[or]Ulrich[or]Vaughn[or]Waters[or]Yellowstone[or]Ziegler[or]Nguyen[or]Alcott[or]Burgett[or]Carden[or]Etheridge[or]Ford[or]Grady[or]Haney[or]Immelmann[or]Jacobsen[or]King[or]Lee[or]Meyer[or]Naismith[or]O'Reilly[or]Pessinger[or]Ratzinger[or]Adams[or]Baker[or]Cortez[or]De Mayo[or]Ewing[or]Fitzpatrick[or]Gaddis[or]Humphrey[or]Ignacio[or]Jones[or]King[or]Glauberman[or]Lopez[or]Lindstrom[or]MacKinnon[or]Newport[or]Ogden[or]Petersen[or]Reese[or]Stearns[or]Thomas[or]Vicente[or]Williamson[or]Young[or]Ziegler[purely at random]".

To say band specific:

say "[one of]The New [band adjective] [band noun][or]Your Least-Favorite Band[or][band sound][band sound][or]a band whose name you cannot quite make out[or]The [band noun]s and the [band noun]s[or][band first name] [band last name]'s [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]Cymbalism[or][band noun] [band noun] [band noun] [band noun][or][band sound]ba[band sound][band sound][or]?!?!?![or]The [band adjective] [band noun]s[stopping]".

To say song names:

say "[one of][band adjective] [band noun][or][band verb] [band object][or][single titles][or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]The [band noun] [song type][or]A [band noun] To [band verb][or][band noun] of the [band noun][or]The [song type] of the [band adjective][or][band noun] of [band adjective] [band noun]s[or]Be[band sound]ing [band noun]s[as decreasingly likely outcomes]".

To say band verb:

say "[one of]Kiss[or]Forgive[or]Love[or]Hate[or]Move[or]Shove[or]Push[or]Pull[or]Take[or]Lift[or]Prepare[or]Caress[or]Touch[or]Picture[or]Dance With[or]Encounter[or]Witness[or]Observe[or]Send[or]Remember[or]Forget[or]Sing About[or]Talk About[or]Think About[or]Befriend[or]Turn[or]Pet[or]Embody[or]Charm[or]Convince[or]Depend On[or]Kiss[or]Forgive[or]Love[or]Hate[or]Move[or]Shove[or]Push[or]Pull[or]Take[or]Lift[or]Prepare[or]Caress[or]Touch[or]Create[or]Win[or]Turn Over[or]Embrace[or]Choose[or]Talk To[or]Pitch[or]Climb[or]Consider[or]Reconsider[or]Pray For[or]Cancel[or]Salute[purely at random]".

To say band object:

say "[one of]Me[or]You[or]Myself[or]Yourself[or][band noun]s[or]the [band noun][as decreasingly likely outcomes]".

To say single titles:

say "[one of]Be Your Own [band noun][or][band object], the [band adjective][or][band verb] [band first name][or][band verb] [band object] to the [band noun][or][band adjective] [band last name][or][band verb], [band verb], [band verb][or][band noun] Over [band noun]s[or][band noun]s Under the [band noun][or][band adjective] [band noun][or][band noun] and [band object][or]YOU HAVE NEVER TRUSTED ME[or]Don't [band verb] [band object][or][band verb] the [band noun]s[stopping]"

To say song type:

say "[one of]Shuffle[or]Symphony[or]Funk[or]Song[or]Ode[or]Chant[or]Lament[or]Hymn[or]Refrain[or]Beat[or]Rap[or]Rhythm[cycling]".

To say nature sounds:

say "[one of][house effects][or][vent effects][or][idle action][as decreasingly likely outcomes]"

To say house effects:

say "[one of]Outside, a truck drives past.[or]Trev adjusts his position on the sofa.[or]The sound of an aircraft passes overhead.[or]Distant barking.[or]A car door slams outside somewhere.[or]The ceiling creaks.[or]A car honks somewhere.[or]The lights flicker for a moment.[or]A neighbor's car alarm chirps with the locking of its doors.[or]A fly buzzes somewhere in the room.[or]For a moment, there's a slight ringing in your ears.[or]You catch a glimpse of a fly in the stairwell.[or]Trev taps his foot several times before catching himself and crossing his legs on the sofa.[or]The house shudders with the clamor of a passing train.[or]You can hear your heart beating.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]"

To say vent effects:

say "[first time]You seldom notice Trev's central air system while it's running, but it catches you off-guard whenever it starts up or shuts down (as it's doing now). [only][one of]Air stops blowing from the vents.[or]The central air vents rumble to life once more.[cycling]"

To say idle action:

say "[one of]Trev fiddles with his pencil.[or]Trev rolls his die back and forth between his palms.[or]Trev stretches.[or]Trev tosses the die, then catches it in his same hand.[or]Trev examines the illustrations in the article.[or]Trev smooths out the page of his notebook.[or]Trev clicks his pencil twice, then presses the lead back into place.[or]Trev drums his fingers.[or]Trev glances at the article, then back up at you.[or]You glance over just in time to catch Trev yawning.[as decreasingly likely outcomes]"

To say Trev sounds:

choose the row with Achievement Level of score in Table of Trev's Commentary;

say "[Comments entry]".

Table of Trev's Commentary

[Bakery is a recurring scene.

Bakery begins when the score is 13.

Bakery ends when the score is 14.]

To say time passing sounds:

say "[one of]Trev waits for you to choose a path.[or]Trev taps his foot.[or]Trev drums his fingers.[or]Trev is waiting for your response.[or]Trev waits for your choice.[or]Trev wonders which path you're going to take.[purely at random]"

To say hint sounds:

let M2 be the list of unwitnessed endings;

if the number of entries in M2 is 0:

say "Trev is confused. 'You've gotten every ending already. There's no more need for hints.'";

else:

let M3 be the list of unhinted endings;

if the number of entries in M3 is greater than 0:

sort M3 in random order;

say "[relevant hint of entry 1 of M3]";

now entry 1 of M3 is hinted;

else:

sort M2 in random order;

say "[relevant hint of entry 1 of M2]".