Andromeda Apocalypse - Extended Edition — 20 of 97

Section 2 - Uncle Oren

Uncle Oren is a person in the Shore. The description is "He used to be your mentor at the University Radiation Technology Division, during your first year of assignment as a teacher and researcher. A man well in his seventies, he always looked sturdy and healthy.[paragraph break]Lately, his retirement seems to have struck him quite a blow. His hair has gone completely white, his posture slouched and his voice has got that sad croaking. He is staring at the horizon like a bird in search of a migratory route[if the player is in Porch], holding a glass of water from which he drinks from time to time[end if]." Understand "man" as Uncle Oren.

Does the player mean talking to Uncle Oren while Uncle Oren is visible: It is very likely.

Instead of touching Uncle Oren, say "You put a hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him."

Instead of kissing Uncle Oren, say "You don't think that would be proper."

Instead of attacking Uncle Oren, say "Why? You still care for the old man."

Instead of listening to Uncle Oren, try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of asking Uncle Oren about something:

say "You prefer following the flow of the conversation.";

try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of telling Uncle Oren about something:

say "You prefer following the flow of the conversation.";

try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of asking Uncle Oren for something:

say "You prefer following the flow of the conversation.";

try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of asking Uncle Oren to try doing something:

say "You prefer following the flow of the conversation.";

try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of answering Uncle Oren that something:

say "You prefer following the flow of the conversation.";

try talking to Uncle Oren.

Instead of talking to Uncle Oren for the first time:

say "'It is so beautiful, isn't it, Ektor?' Uncle Oren says, pointing at the landscape. 'It looks like Paradise.'[paragraph break]'It does,' you reply.[paragraph break]Oren sends a glance to the west, towards Grey Cape, saying: 'I wonder what a man who was born here -- I mean here, on Monarch -- would think, looking at this place. The sun, the sea going orange, the endless sky.'";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0.

Instead of talking to Uncle Oren for the second time:

say "'I [italic type]was[roman type] born here,' you point out.[paragraph break]'Yeah. So what do you think?' He turns to face you but stops, distracted by the impending storm.[paragraph break]'It is breathtaking.'";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0.

Instead of talking to Uncle Oren for the third time:

say "'Yeah. That's what I thought. This place is unbelievable to all of us. Indigenes or sat-born.' That said, he sits on his heels and grabs a handful of sand. From it, picking lightly, he extracts a small, green crab and puts it on his other hand. 'I don't know if I deserve an afterlife. I haven't done much evil in my days, but maybe our god has another point of view. What I know is: if I [italic type]have[roman type] to have a life after death, I hope it is in a place like this.' He gets near the shore and neatly drops the crab into the water.[paragraph break]'Hell,' he exclaims. 'I'd stay here for the rest of eternity, if you asked me!'";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0.

Instead of talking to Uncle Oren for the fourth time:

say "Somehow, you suddenly feel the urge to reveal your knowledge.[paragraph break]'You know, Andy and I found something last week. It's a sort of... discovery.'[paragraph break]He turns to face you. He looks extremely tired, and you notice it for the first time. 'Your research?'[paragraph break]'Yes.'[paragraph break]'If it's Uni work, then,' he says, banishing the subject with the back of his hand, 'it's best discussed at Uni. Don't waste the moment, son. There will be time. This sunset won't last forever, and the next one is due in eighty weeks.'";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0.

Instead of talking to Uncle Oren for the fifth time:

say "'But...'[paragraph break]'No [italic type]buts[roman type],' he says. 'One can't live in his work, son. One must learn how to savor the moment.'[paragraph break]His eyes wander off, in the distance, towards the end of the world. For almost a minute he stays silent.[paragraph break]Then, when you begin to think he's done, he says: 'The wind is growing stronger. It's a hell of a storm, that one incoming.'[paragraph break][paragraph break][paragraph break]";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0;

deactivate the Table of Shore Hints;

activate the Table of Raft Hints;

pause the game;

present the title page;

remove the Shore_Clothes from play;

now the player wears the Space_Clothes;

now the player carries the useless railway ticket;

move the player to In_Hyero, without printing a room description;

display the boxed quotation

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.

Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion.

I've watched C-beams glitter in the dark

near the Tannhauser Gate.

All those moments will be lost in time,

like tears in rain.

--Roy Batty, Blade Runner";

show the current quotation;

pause the game;

say "[banner text]";

say "----------------------------------[paragraph break][paragraph break]";

try looking;

record "A Hell of a Storm" as achieved.

Uncle Oren has a number called speech_count. Definition: Uncle Oren is bored if his speech_count is 7.

Every turn when the player is in the Vacation House: increase the speech_count of Uncle Oren by 1.

Every turn when Uncle Oren is bored:

say "[one of]Uncle Oren coughs to gain your attention.[or]Uncle Oren says: 'Talk to me, boy. What bothers you?'[or]'What are you thinking of?' Uncle Oren asks.[or]'Your silence is alarming,' says Uncle Oren.[or]'A penny for your thoughts,' whispers Uncle Oren.[purely at random]";

now the speech_count of Uncle Oren is 0.