Pinning Him Down

You are Erika Walsh, plucky entertainment reporter for Broadcom International... or, at least, you were. [[Click to continue.->02]]

"What's up, Superwoman?" everyone's friend Jen Fawcett sings into the phone. "So, the bachelorette party! Are you ready for a night of crime?" [["I think Superwoman would fight crime. Crap! What time is it?"->BacheloretteRundown]]

The rest of the morning is a hurried mess of showering, fumbling into clothes, and packing toiletries. Then there's a honk from outside! [[Click to continue.->Honk]]

Due to traffic, you're a little late to the airport, so you dash inside and see a horde of people coming off the 11:15 arrival from Colorado. [[Click to continue.->Meet Mere]]

Meredith laughs and hugs you both. "This is awesome. So where's Keira?" [["At CalArts. Probably buried under a pile of 18th-century costumes."->Choosing Outfits 2]]

(CHARACTER VISUAL -- We show you the player in the pirate wench ensemble. Its predominant feature is its crimson corset. The hat and floor-length skirt edged in lace must have taken forever to make.) "Wow," Meredith says. "You could stop traffic with that look. Which, considering the traffic of the time was powered by sails, is really impressive." [["I want this one. Yo ho ho, or in Spanish, 'Soy ho ho.'"->Flirty Outfit Confirmed]] [["Let me see what else there is..."->Still Deciding]]

(CHARACTER VISUAL -- We show you the player in the Chinese pirate commander's outfit. It clings closely to your body. It has skirt-like flaps that cover the trousers beneath. It's trimmed in silvery brocade that must have taken forever to add on to the sleeves, shoulders and chest. There's even a wooden prop sword to go with it, painted to look like steel.) Meredith comments. "Awesome. You can be my kung fu bodyguard as we sail the seven seas. Whatcha think, Erika? Keep it Caribbean or go all Hong Kong?" [["This rocks! Fear the queen of blades!"->Daring Outfit Confirmed.]] [["I'm going to try something else."->Still Deciding]]

(CHARACTER VISUAL -- We show you the player in a ruffled shirt, with your hair tied up in a pirate bandanna. Hard felt trousers and a captain's coat add layers and panache. A pair of hoop earrings and a prop cutlass made of painted wood rounds out the look.) "What do you think?" Meredith says, indicating your outfit. "It's a little more pirate captain than pirate fantasy, but I think it works." [["This is me! Scourge of yon bachelorette party!"->Casual Outfit Confirmed]] [["I'm still deciding."->Still Deciding]]

Keira hands you a period-appropriate satchel and you transfer the contents of your purse into it. Then she pulls out a long, black silk scarf. [[Click to continue.->The Drive 2]]

"Just walk where I guide you, Mere," says Jen, who has taken the still-blindfolded Meredith by the arm. "We're ringside." [["We're watching boxing? Really?"->Boxing]] [["Looks like we're not the only fans in costume."->Cosplay]] [["Jen, just let her see where she's walking."->Walking]]

Jen smirks. "Ahem. We're here to *elevate* the level of fan cosplay. Those skanks with him in Halloween gear wouldn't know brocade from a broadside." [[Click to continue.->Ring Entry]]

"Whoa, there," says Mere. "You're staying. This night, I get all of the immaturity out of my system. And I've been building up an immunity to this since I was thirteen." [["I'm just saying, what's normal for you is a lethal level in humans like me."->Rogers Intro]]

"Oh, have you never seen Ron Rogers before?" Mere says just as Rogers' entourage of scantily-clad pirate wenches breeze by. One sits on the ring ropes to help him climb inside, and he spanks her butt as she leaves. [[Click to continue.->Sarcastic Kiera]]

Ike Hammer grabs Rogers' mask-bandanna and uses it to throw him out of the ring, ripping it clean off. The unmasked wrestler gets to his feet right in front of you... and you stare into eyes you saw just this morning. [["SHAWN?"->Name Drop]] [["That's my date!"->Freudian Slip]]

"Wait, date how? When? What?" says Mere. Shawn looks at you, just as surprised, but Ike Hammer yanks him away for further brawling. [["Oh, god, I took him home last night. I didn't know."->Truth]] [["I was kidding. I don't date men wearing other men's sweat."->Cover-Up]] [["Sorry, but uh, he looks a lot like a guy I knew in high school."->Lie]]

In the ring, Ravishing Ron Rogers puts his bandanna-mask back on. His theme music starts playing. "Oh, yeah, you know what it's time for," he says. [[Click to continue.->The Routine Choice]]

Rogers' gaze sweeps the stadium. He points at your group. Two security staff head over and clear the metal barriers so you can reach the aisle. [[Click to continue.->Reconsider]]

"You're the best," Mere says, and flounces through the opening in the barriers and into to the ring. She looks around, suddenly realizing just how many fans are staring at her. [[Click to continue.->Rogers N Mere]]

Meredith looks back at you. Then she turns back to Rogers and leans down to his microphone. "Okay, Dread Pirate," she says. "As you wish." [[Click to continue.->The Big Mere Smooch]]

Meredith's eyes are solely on Rogers as she leans down to his microphone. "Okay, Dread Pirate," she says. "As you wish." [[Click to continue.->The Big Mere Smooch]]

(SET: $YouKissRogers to 'yes') The security officer in front gestures for one of you to step out, and you slip in front of Meredith. She utters a short "Hey!" as you sashay onto the mat. [[Click to continue.->In The Spotlight]]

Shawn confidently grabs you for a dip like on the cover of a romance novel. He kisses you, and it is easy to melt away. His arms are much stronger than you thought, but his lips are very gentle. [[Click to continue.->Kiss Continued]]

Shawn laughs, obviously enjoying himself. "There's only one way to find out who's going to tame who, darling," he says, and hands off the microphone to one of his assistants. [[Click to continue.->Ravish Away]]

"Yeah," says Jen, "Those two totally don't have chemistry. Just, you know, biology, or animal behavior, or I'm totally talking myself into an intervention, let's go NOW." [[Click to continue.->Carried Off]]

"Yeah," says Jen, "I'm personally willing to cut her a little slack. She's getting married to another guy tomorrow." [[Click to continue.->Carried Off]]

"Whoa, there, Freddy Krueger," says Jen. "She's getting married to another guy tomorrow." [["All the more reason we should stop them from getting stupid."->Carried Off]] [["I suppose her last night of freedom deserves some leeway."->Oh, Fine]]

(VISUAL -- A clean, well-lit but underground office, with a bulletin board tacked with the upcoming season's sports events.) (CHARACTER VISUAL -- Shawn, now dressed in slacks and a button-down shirt. He has a moderately-sized bandage on his temple.) You follow the assistant down a hall to an office, where Shawn waits... It's easier to think of him as Shawn, since he's dressed like a civilian. [[Click to continue.->Proposition Part 2]]

You kiss him fiercely, and he does not disappoint. It isn't so much a goodbye kiss as it is an enticing promise for when you see each other again. [["I'll call."->Hanging With the Crew]]

You settle for a peck on the cheek and get a warm hug in return. It's very comfortable: you know that if you needed him, he'd be there. [["Thanks for a great evening and a good morning."->Hanging With the Crew]]

Shawn's face falls. "I might be able to ensure we see each other again," he says, "but there's no guarantee. So... this is where I say thanks for a great evening." [[Click to continue.->Hanging With the Crew]]

You reconsider your options. [[Try the Caribbean pirate outfit.->Casual Outfit]] [[Try the Chinese pirate outfit.->Daring Outfit]] [[Try the pirate wench outfit.->Flirty Outfit]]

(SET: $WenchOutfit = 'yes') You twirl in front of the mirror. "Every girl needs to occasionally bring out her inner trollop," you state, "and then sterilize it with alcohol." [[Click to continue.->The Drive]]

(SET: $DaringOutfit = 'yes') As the squad completes their outfits, you slash a Z in the air with the wooden sword. "After three drinks, keep this thing away from me, okay?" [[Click to continue.->The Drive]]

(SET: $CasualOutfit = 'yes') "Every girl needs a time to set sail with her friends and rely upon them," Meredith says. "And to hear the screams of panicked men when you fire a cannon over their bow. I think you've nailed the look." [[Click to continue.->The Drive]]

The driver follows Jen's instructions. The limo pulls up in front of the Staples Center, and the four of you strut out into the crowd like a gang of seventeenth-century hooligans. [[Click to continue.->Front Row Center]]

"Jen knows my obsessions!" says Mere. "I used to joke if there was ever one guy I'd throw Brent over for, it'd be--" [[Click to continue.->Rogers Intro]]

"Endure?" Mere says. "I used to do flying elbows off the jungle gym when I was thirteen! These guys are man-candy, and at the top of the list--" [["Okay, okay, I'm here for you."->Rogers Intro]]

"Oh, come on, it's not that bad..." says Jen, just before Rogers' entourage of scantily-clad pirate wenches breeze by. One sits on the ring ropes to make it easier for him to step over, and he spanks her butt as she leaves. [[Click to continue.->Sarcastic Kiera]]

Your squad makes a lot of noise for Rogers, and between getting hit repeatedly and throwing Ike on his head, he flashes a smile at you. [[Click to continue.->The Battle Ranges]]

While Mere cheers for the pirate wrestler, you make some noise for Ike Hammer, the crowd's favorite. In between getting thrown and choked, he nods at you. [[Click to continue.->The Battle Ranges]]

"Don't think of it as a sport," says Mere, "It's more like the world's longest-running stunt show. These guys are in crazy shape." [[Next->The Big Reveal]]

"Don't scare me like that," says Meredith. "I thought for a second I was going to have to get you in a headlock." [["The night is still young."->Secret Kept]]

(SET: $KnowShawnDate to 'yes') "You did *what*?" says Meredith. [["I didn't know at the time..."->Honestly, Mere?]]

"Hold the phone," says Meredith, "what high school did you go to where they grew chiseled beef like my man there?" [["I think I'd better keep that a secret to preserve their safety."->Secret Kept]]

Shawn sighs in relief. "That's great. Not everyone gets it. There's nothing like having a whole planet full of fans booing you to give you a complex." [["So where do we go from here?"->The Proposition 3]]

Shawn holds up his hands defensively. "I know it's hard to accept, but the persona you saw out there is part of my job. I'm supposed to be this sexist, womanizing brute." [[Click to continue.->Defensive Shawn]]

Shawn holds up his hands defensively. "Honestly? It's usually zero. I know it's kind of hard to accept, but the persona you saw out there is part of my job. I'm supposed to be this sexist, womanizing brute." [[Click to continue.->Defensive Shawn]]

Shawn smiles. "I was thinking I could solve one of your problems. Global Wrestling Entertainment has an opening for an interviewer." [["I don't understand. Like a recruiter?"->No Comprendo]] [["So... I would be on the road with you?"->Travel Together]] (IF: $YouKissRogers is 'yes')[[["Do I have to sleep with you to get the job?"->Harassment No Bueno]]] (IF: $MereKissesRogers is 'yes')[[["Do I have to sleep with you to get the job?"->Harassment Mere Response]]]

Shawn laughs. "Then stick around. I was thinking more like you could come on tour with us. Global Wrestling Entertainment has an opening for an interviewer." [["I don't understand. Like a recruiter?"->No Comprendo]] [["So... I would be on the road with you?"->Travel Together]] (IF: $YouKissRogers is 'yes')[[["Do I have to sleep with you to get the job?"->Harassment No Bueno]]] (IF: $MereKissesRogers is 'yes')[[["Do I have to sleep with you to get the job?"->Harassment Mere Response]]]

Jen nods, "True, though I think if Brent found out I was the one behind this, I would be dog meat." She squints at the ring. "What are they doing now?" [[Click to continue.->Carried Off]]

"Whoa, there, Nathaniel Hawthorne," says Jen. "This is all fake." She squints at the ring. "Though they seem, uh... to be staying in character." [[Click to continue.->Carried Off]]

The crowd laughs, and Shawn smiles. "I'll tell you backstage, darling," he says, and hands the microphone off to one of his assistants. [[Click to continue.->Ravish Away]]

(VISUAL -- a place more oriented towards VIP guests than whatever fantasy was associated with Shawn's stage persona. There are mahogany walls, leather lounge chairs, and a closed-circuit TV showing the events going on in the arena. A central table has fruit platters and cheese, lots of water, and a bowl of M&Ms with all the brown ones taken out.) ...a lounge. Shawn sets you down in a comfortable leather chair. You're not sure what you were expecting, though "pirate dungeon" and "crazy Las Vegas sex hotel" did come to mind. [[Click to continue.->Green Room Discussion]]

"Um, yes, personal stuff sometimes... shows up in my work, and sometimes work makes personal life hard," he says. "That's what this is about." [[Click to continue.->The Proposition 3]]

THE END! Thanks for reading the sample of "Pinning Him Down." I also have a short (two-page) proposal available showing the arc of the first book and the monetization opportunities for premium content. If you'd like to see those, just contact me. Thanks, Chris Hepler

As of yesterday afternoon, you've been laid off, and now you are nestled in your bed after a night you don't remember so well. But you do remember... (Choose one) [[...crying your eyes out on the shoulder of a stranger named Shawn.->Cry]] [[...feeling sick. Shawn took you home like a gentleman.->Sick]] [[...taking Shawn home and losing yourself in a crazy makeout session.->SexyTimes]]

(SET: $Cry to 'yes') You wake up to the smell of sizzling meat. You're still in last night's nightclub outfit. Cautiously, you check to see who is in your apartment... [[Click to continue.->Sleepyhead]]

(SET: $Sick to 'yes') You deduce from the smell of sizzling meat that Shawn is making you breakfast. You smooth down last night's clothes, and tiptoe to the kitchen. [[Click to continue.->Sleepyhead]]

(SET: $SexyTimes to 'yes') You deduce from the smell of sizzling meat that Shawn is making you breakfast. You don a bathrobe and slip out to your apartment's kitchenette. [[Click to continue.->Sleepyhead]]

You see Shawn, a tall, very muscular man cooking away. He's wearing one of your bathrobes, which looks ridiculously fluffy and rather small on him. [[Click to continue.->Breakfast]]

(Character Visual -- In the dialogue attribution, we see Shawn's profile picture. Shawn's face has a straight nose and a strong jawline; he has a small, neat mustache and beard. His body is large and muscled, in fantastic shape. We can see some of his bare chest and arms because he's wearing your bathrobe, which is too small on him.) "There you are, Erika," he says. "Hope you don't mind, I found the veggie bacon and decided to go for it. How does an omelette with bell peppers sound?" [["Like you're the tender loving care I asked for big-time."->Grateful]] [["Like you're not a bachelor of any kind."->Suspicious]] [["Can I just get some vitamin C and aspirin? The world is pain right now."->Hungover]]

Shawn looks too concerned to smile. "Well, you had one of the worst days of your life yesterday. I'm no doctor, but I figured I should help." [["I don't remember what it is you do."->JobInquiry]] [["You look more like a gym owner than a psychologist."->Play Doctor]] [["I'll let you know when you can play doctor again."->DadJoke]]

"Nah," he says, "I kind of learned cooking as a survival skill. I'm on the road so much, restaurants lose their appeal. And most are so fattening." [["I don't remember what it is you do."->JobInquiry]] [["You look like you eat barbells for breakfast."->Jacked]] [["I cook sometimes. Like, um, January 3rd, 2013 was a time."->DadJoke]]

Shawn nods. "Sure can. But I recommend nutrition. My co-workers swear by this recipe, and they're workout fiends. I try to keep up with them. You?" [["I don't remember what it is you do."->JobInquiry]] [["You look like you eat barbells for breakfast."->Jacked]] [["I've hit the gym before. It really hurt my hand."->DadJoke]]

"I'm a professional jerk," Shawn says. "Every team needs one." [[Click to continue.->Joke]]

"I'm sure a bright girl like you can identify what I have for breakfast," says Shawn, sliding eggs onto your plate. "Though possibly on the second try." [[Click to continue.->RingRing]]

Shawn considers. "You're funny. I hate funny." You snort. He's not serious, but very good at keeping a straight face. Just then, your phone rings. [["Oh, crud, that's going to be Jen."->Good Morning 4]]

"You don't seem like a jerk," you say. "How does someone like you qualify?" [[Click to continue.->PunchLine]]

"Eat a dick," Shawn says. He's really good at keeping a straight face. He looks like he's about to elaborate, but just then, your phone rings. [["Oh, crud, that's going to be Jen."->Good Morning 4]]

"Time for sleepyhead Erika to jump into the shower, because Meredith gets into town at 11:15 and you and I will be in the limo waiting for her." [["No problem, Jen. I'm on it!"->ByeShawn]] [["It's 10:30 now! Why do you plan these things so close?"->ByeShawn]] [["You think I'm that organized? Have you SEEN my sock drawer?"->ByeShawn]]

Just then, your phone rings. [["Oh, crud, that's going to be Jen."->Good Morning 4]]

Jen talks fast. "I've got everything but the costumes, we're going to drop by Keira at CalArts once we have the Mere-cat in the limo. Get ready, because when you hear a honk outside, it's meeee!" [[Click to continue.->Acknowledged]]

"Right," you say, and turn back to Shawn. "Hey, I need to wash up and get out of here, I've got a bachelorette party lasting all day and all night." [[Click to continue.->Not In Town]]

Shawn frowns. "I'm on the road tomorrow," he says. "It's going to be that way for months, but let me give you my number and e-mail, if you want it." [["I can do that. Gotta run." (Kiss his cheek.)->Cheek]] [["Oh, I want it." (Kiss him hungrily.)->Hungry]] [["NOW you tell me? Forget it. Just leave."->Angry]]

(Character Visual -- Jen Fawcett, a cheerful blonde woman with a mischievous grin. She's in a white T-shirt that says "Danger! Danger!" on it. She is a bit more solid than the fashion-model-thin characters.) (Area Visual -- the back of a limousine stocked full of party paraphernalia. It includes a champagne bucket with a bottle on ice, an inflatable sheep, a long wig of bright blue hair, and a fire extinguisher.) The limousine is waiting by the curb. The rear seats are crowded with party gifts, a champagne bucket, and everyone's favorite friend, Jen. She scooches over. "Sorry, too much caboose," she says. [["More like too many presents! Is all this stuff for her?"->Ride to Mere 1]] [["Should I regret giving you my credit card?"->Ride to Mere 2]] [["You didn't go overboard, you sank the whole freaking ship."->Ride to Mere 3]]

(Character Visual -- Meredith Kwan, a peppy Chinese-American girl with red-dyed hair and tattoo sleeves of colorful fairytale creatures. She's in a sleeveless white blouse.) It's easy to spot Meredith Kwan. Her hair's streaked in fire-engine-red, and tattoo sleeves in a kaleidoscope of color that a tie-dyed shirt might envy. [["Meredith!"->Call To Mere]]

"Erika!" She drags her suitcase over and embraces you. "Haven't seen you in forever. I hear Jen has been masterminding some kind of plan for today?" [["Jen would never let you down."->Limo Part 1]] [["It's a team effort. I'm bankrolling and Keira is costuming."->Limo Part 1]] [["Jen would build you a laser on the moon if I didn't rein her in."->Limo Part 1]]

You head out into the sun. As Meredith nears the limo, Jen rolls down the window. Just as Meredith recognizes her, Jen snaps a picture of her shocked face. [[Click to continue.->In Limo]]

"You got this beast for us?" Mere says. "No WAY!" In moments, her bags are in the trunk and she's inside the limo. After the initial hugs, she turns her eyes to the stuff. "What IS all this?" [[Explain the inflatable sheep and body pillow.->Sheep]] [[Explain the fire extinguisher and rolodex.->Extinguisher]] [[Explain the purple wig and sailor uniform.->Wig]]

"This is Mere! Her life has had more drama than that freakin' Julliard School in New York. Tonight's the sendoff before the Happily Ever After, and we're gonna blow her mind." [["Ha ha, cool. I was just teasing."->Pickup Time]]

"Sweetie, I took up a collection to help the costs. I called it 'The end of a Mere-a.' All her exes contributed, except the incarcerated ones." [["Ha ha, cool. I was just teasing."->Pickup Time]]

Jen laughs. "I took up a collection from her ex-boyfriends. Some sent money. One sent scorpions. Fortunately, I found a buyer for them on E-Bay." [["You are irrepressible."->Pickup Time]]

(SET: $Sheep to 'yes') "For those nights when Brent is in the mood but you aren't, we present this anime body pillow and inflateable sheep." (IF: $Extinguisher is not 'yes')[[[Explain the fire extinguisher and rolodex.->Extinguisher]]] (IF: $Wig is not 'yes')[[[Explain the purple wig and sailor uniform.->Wig]]] [[Move on.->Choosing Outfits 1]]

(SET: $Extinguisher to 'yes') "In case your matrimonial duties require you to cook, we present this fire extinguisher and a Rolodex full of restaurants, because sweetie, we know you." (IF: $Sheep is not 'yes')[[[Explain the inflateable sheep and body pillow.->Sheep]]] (IF: $Wig is not 'yes')[[[Explain the purple wig and sailor uniform.->Wig]]] [[Move on.->Choosing Outfits 1]]

(SET: $Wig to 'yes') "For those nights of love where you're in the mood but Brent needs, ahem, 'motivation,' here is a purple anime wig and sailor suit." (IF: $Extinguisher is not 'yes')[[[Explain the fire extinguisher and rolodex.->Extinguisher]]] (IF: $Sheep is not 'yes')[[[Explain the inflateable sheep and body pillow.->Sheep]]] [[Move on.->Choosing Outfits 1]]

After the interminable traffic in which Meredith inhales some of Jen's packed sandwiches, the driver pulls up at the California Institute of the Arts. [[Click to continue.->Choosing Outfits 3]]

(VISUAL -- You're in the costumes department of a university dedicated to theater arts. There are all kinds of costume racks, rolls of fabric, and more than a few sewing machines.) (CHARACTER VISUAL -- Keira is a diminutive girl with frizzy dark brown hair and enormous Coke-bottle glasses. She's a bit pasty because she hasn't seen the sun for months. She's dressed in stage-technician black.) Inside the building, you find Keira in the back rooms of the theater, surrounded by costumes, as she puts the finishing touches on a tricorn hat with an ostrich feather in it. [["Hey, Keira! Get up and welcome the Mere-kat!"->Choosing Outfits 4]] [["Special delivery! One bride-to-be in need of costuming!"->Choosing Outfits 4]] [["Do you normally not look up when the fun enters the room?"->Choosing Outfits 4]]

"Silence," she says, and adjusts her enormous glasses. "For want of a feather, the hat was lost, and for want of a hat, the outfit was lost." [[Click to continue.->Choosing Outfits 5]]

A second later, Keira announces, "Done!" and gives Meredith a welcoming hug. "Today we will fulfill one of your childhood fantasies. But you must choose wisely." [[Click to continue.->Choosing Outfits 6]]

"Each of us has proposed an activity where you live out your childhood fantasy," says Kiera. "You say the word, and we costume up accordingly." [[Click to continue.->Choosing Outfits 7]]

"You can ride an elephant as a Bollywood princess, race go-karts in a NASCAR jumpsuit, or be kidnapped by a pirate and made his queen." [["I came up with the elephant one."->Choosing Outfits 8]] [["Jen is ready to run you off the road."->Choosing Outfits 8]] [["Keira spent forever on the pirate costumes."->Choosing Outfits 8]]

"Pirates!" Mere exclaims immediately. "Sorry, no contest. I learned to swim at six, for the sole purpose of sailing with Johnny Depp and Cary Elwes!" [[Click to continue.->Choosing Outfits Choice]]

"Okay, the bachelorette has decreed it," says Keira. "Grab your outfits. We're going as a pirate crew!" You inspect the many pirate outfits and choose... [[A classic English pirate outfit with bandanna and bustier.->Casual Outfit]] [[A fancy wench's garb with a corset and skirt all in scarlet.->Flirty Outfit]] [[A buttoned-up, brocaded commander's outfit from the South China Sea.->Daring Outfit]]

Meredith laughs as Jen blindfolds her. "To the car!" shouts Jen. [["To the car!"->The Drive 3]]

(Visual -- the arena interior, with a crowd of tens of thousands of people. A wrestling ring is at its center, underneath a four-sided giant TV screen showing the ring announcer. Short steel barriers keep the fans back from where the action is. Two prominent aisles are cleared for the athletes to enter and exit.) "Oh, you WISH it was boxing," laughs Jen. As you enter the arena itself to find your seats, you see a multi-directional Jumbotron high above a roped-off square ring. In the ring, a tuxedoed announcer holds a microphone. [[Click to continue.->Ike Intro]]

(Visual -- the arena interior, with a crowd of tens of thousands of people. A wrestling ring is at its center, underneath a four-sided giant TV screen showing the ring announcer. Short steel barriers keep the fans back from where the action is. Two prominent aisles are cleared for the athletes to enter and exit.) "The fans here are... enthusiastic," says Jen. As you enter the arena itself, you see a multi-faceted Jumbotron above a square, roped-off ring. In the ring, a tuxedoed announcer holds a microphone. [[Click to continue.->Ike Intro]]

(Visual -- the arena interior, with a crowd of tens of thousands of people. A wrestling ring is at its center, underneath a four-sided giant TV screen showing the ring announcer. Short steel barriers keep the fans back from where the action is. Two prominent aisles are cleared for the athletes to enter and exit.) "I'm holding the surprise in reserve," says Jen. As you enter the arena itself, you see a multi-faceted Jumbotron above a square, roped-off ring. In the ring, a tuxedoed announcer holds a microphone. [[Click to continue.->Ike Intro]]

The announcer's voice booms out: "Ladies and gentlemen, this match is to one fall. In this corner, weighing in at 276 pounds, the Culver City Crusher, Ike HAAAAAAAAAAMMERRRRRRRRR!" [[Click to continue.->Oh No]]

Music blares and the lights strobe as a beefy mountain of muscle in tights comes running down to the ring. "Oh, my god," says Meredith, stripping off her blindfold. "I know exactly what you did, Jen, you are going to jail!" [["Pro wrestling? This is gonna be hilarious."->Enthusiasm]] [["It's only one night, Mere, I guess we can endure it."->Lukewarm]] [["C'mon, Mere, we'll hide in the bathroom together."->Puerile]]

Mere is cut off by the announcer. "And in this corner, weighing 210 pounds, from Kingston, Jamaica, the Dread Pirate himself, RRRRRAVISHING RRRROOON RRRRROGERRRS!" [[Click to continue.->Rogers Approach]]

Three costumed pirate wenches fire a cannon near the aisle. Out of the smoke steps a man in black ruffles, his face obscured by a bandanna with eyeholes. He's obviously echoing a well-known Dread Pirate of the movies. [["Okay, *now* I get why we're all in costume."->Hilarious]] [["Jen, are we cheering for the bad guy?"->Not What She Wants?]] [["Oh, god, the copyright infringement. Make it stop."->Ugh]]

"I see why the fans love this," says Keira, indicating a gaggle of teenage boys. "You can see them staring at her storylines now." [[Click to continue.->Mere's Dream]]

Rogers' entourage of scantily-clad pirate wenches breeze by. One sits on the ring ropes to let him climb into the ring, and he spanks her butt as she leaves. [[Click to continue.->Sarcastic Kiera]]

The match ranges inside and outside the ring, with Rogers' pirate wenches tripping Ike Hammer when the referee isn't looking. But when Rogers hurls Hammer into the ropes, Hammer brings both his fists down onto Rogers' head. [[Next->The Big Reveal]]

"You know Ron Rogers' name?" says Mere, stunned. "*I* don't know that." For his part, Shawn looks alarmed, but he is snatched away by an angry Ike Hammer, who continues to brawl with him and throw him back into the ring. [["Oh, god, I took him home last night. I didn't know."->Truth]] [["I'm kidding. His real name's probably Urkel Humperdink or something."->Cover-Up]] [["He looks a lot like a Shawn I knew in high school. It's nothing."->Lie]]

For a moment, it looks like Ike Hammer is watching or conversing with one of Rogers' girls, but then Roger pounces, smashing Ike from behind with his forearm. A bell rings, and the wrestling starts in earnest. [["That's it, pirate boy! Drop that Hammer!"->Cheer for Rogers]] [["Hit him, Ike! I heard he punched your mom!"->Cheer for Ike]] [["Mere... how'd you ever get into this testosterone-fest?"->Don't Dignify]]

"Hey, don't hate on the fantasy," says Jen. "At the end of every match Rogers wins, he calls up an audience member for a total lip lock. Tonight, we're going to make that Mere." [["Can do!"->Match Starts]]

"Honestly, Mere?" says Keira, "if you're going to crush on a guy, maybe the one with three fawning hotties already on him isn't the best choice." [[Click to continue.->The Indignation]]

"But that's for show! Erika got her genuine hands on Rogers' genuine parts!" Mere pauses, considering. "That is, I assume you used hands?" [[Click to continue.->Rogers Wins]]

Your next words are drowned out by the roar of the crowd. During your conversation, the wrestlers returned to the ring, and now Rogers has pulled off a complicated hold, pinning Ike onto his back. [[Click to continue.->Three Count]]

The crowd erupts in boos. Rogers raises his fist in victory while Hammer slinks off, and one of Rogers' pirates brings him a microphone. [[Click to continue.->The Routine Begins]]

Rogers yells, "My mask may have slipped, but I'm still the most ravishing thing ever to come to this town. Let's hear it! Who wants a night to remember?" [["Hey! Over here! Me! Me! Me!"->Me! Me! Me!]] [["Meredith does! Pick her! Right here!"->Pick Meredith!]]

"Honestly, Mere?" says Keira, "if you're going to crush on a guy, maybe the one with three fawning hotties already on him isn't the best choice." [["Keira's on to something."->Rogers Wins]] [["I'm sure they're perfect gentlewomen, despite all appearances."->Rogers Wins]]

"Girl, this is Meredith's night out," says Jen. "Are you two going to fight over the same man?" [["This one's mine."->You Get Rogered]] [["Just getting his attention for Mere."->Just Kidding, Pick Mere]]

(SET: $MereKissesRogers to 'yes') Meredith looks twenty feet tall on the Jumbotron, and Rogers seems to approve of her intricate costume. "Welcome to the limelight, miss," he says. "I just have one question for you. Are you ready to get Rogered?" (IF: $KnowShawnDate is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Mere Reaction If She Knows]]] (IF: $KnowShawnDate is not 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->If Mere Doesn't Know]]]

One of Rogers' girls opens the ropes to make way for you, as you enter the ring. Only there do you realize just how many eyes are on you. Your face is on the Jumbotron overhead, and hecklers whistle and yell encouragement. (IF: $WenchOutfit is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Spotlight Commentary (Wench)]]] (IF: $DaringOutfit is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Spotlight Commentary (Chinese)]]] (IF: $CasualOutfit is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Spotlight Commentary (Caribbean)]]]

"How about this, huh?" Shawn says into the microphone. "All wrapped up like a present! So, does that corset make *everything* tighter?" [[Click to continue.->Spotlight Choice]]

You slip your tongue into Shawn's mouth and he responds, intensifying the kiss as the crowd whoops and countless phone cameras flash. It's overwhelming. When at last he pulls back, he whispers in your ear. "I'm going to carry you out of here. You're perfectly safe." [[Click to continue.->To The Lockers]]

With that, Shawn scoops your knees and lifts you up. The crowd noise doubles, as Shawn carries you out of the ring and past Mere, Jen, and Keria. Randy fans whoop at you and your friends take videos. [[Click to continue.->To the Lockers 2]]

The TV cameramen circle you: your image is splashed up on the Jumbotron. But they fall away as Shawn takes you down the aisle to the locker rooms. A production assistant unlocks a gigantic steel door, and Shawn carries you over the threshold into... [[Click to continue.->The Green Room]]

"So," Shawn says. "I'm going to wash a lot of sweat off me, bandage up all the bumps, and when I'm clean and sweet, lay a plan on you." [["Uh... is it for something tawdry?"->Green Room Answers]] [["We need to talk. Big-time."->Need To Talk]] [["I'm just glad we could see each other again."->Love Blossoms]]

"Wouldn't you like to know?" he says. "Just don't go anywhere. The production assistants are around if you need anything." He vanishes behind a green door that locks after him. [[Click to continue.->Girlfriends Arrive]]

"We will," he says. "Just don't go anywhere. The production assistants are around if you need anything." He vanishes behind a green door that locks after him. [[Click to continue.->Girlfriends Arrive]]

Shawn clasps your hand warmly. "As second dates go, I think this one was pretty good. Don't run off or anything. Be right back." He vanishes behind a green door that locks after him. [[Click to continue.->Girlfriends Arrive]]

You have a little water, and check out a small collection of gift bags filled with complimentary paraphernalia. Soon, there's a knock on the door, and you open it to discover Meredith, Keira and Jen. [[Click to continue.->So Hot]]

"Girl, you're a superstar now!" Keira yells. "That was so hot I got pregnant just watching it!" She grabs you in a fierce hug. [[Click to continue.->Jen Gushes]]

"We asked, and they said it's broadcast practically live," Jen says. "So if you want to give your mom a heart attack, call her and have her DVR it." [[Click to continue.->Mere Downbeat]]

Mere, who looks a little downcast, mumbles, "Congratulations, Erika." [["Hey, I'd drop him in a second if he really came between us."->Loyalty]] [["I didn't mean to step all over your moment... but I know him."->Oops]] [["Sorry, but you're getting married to Brent tomorrow. I saved you."->No Regrets]]

(SET: $MereApology to 'yes') Mere brightens a little. "Thanks, Erika. I know I shouldn't... I'm getting married. I just had this fantasy in my head." She squeezes your hand. "It's fine." [[Click to continue.->Come With Me]]

(SET: $MereSnub to 'yes') "Yeah," says Mere, though she doesn't sound it. "I just thought he'd spotted me specifically, and it was like... you know, fantasy come true." [[Click to continue.->Come With Me]]

(SET: $MereSlapInFace to 'yes') Mere's eyebrows furrow. "That's kind of why I wanted to have fun tonight, because I won't get that fantasy fulfilled for the rest of my life." [[Click to continue.->Come With Me]]

There's a sharp knock at the interior door. A stylishly dressed young man with a radio in his belt leans his head in. "Ms. Erika Walsh?" he says. "Mr. Ron Rogers wants to see you now." (IF: $YouKissRogers is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->The Proposition (If You Smooched Him)]]] (IF: $MereKissesRogers is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->The Proposition (If Mere Smooch)]]]

She kisses Rogers confidently, and he dips her like on the cover of a romance novel. The crowd is electric and countless phone cameras flash as fans take pictures of the moment. (IF: $KnowShawnDate is 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Didn't You Say...]]] (IF: $KnowShawnDate is not 'yes')[[[Click to continue.->Nice One]]]

Jen looks from you, to Mere, and back to you. "Didn't you say that was your man up there?" [["Relax, it's her last night as a single woman."->It's Okay]] [["Yeah, uh... I didn't expect quite so much enthusiasm."->Got Some Explaining to Do]] [["Hold my earrings. When she comes back, I'm gonna scratch that girl's eyes out."->Scratch Her Eyes Out]]

You, Jen, and Keira grab Mere's things and march away from the ring, but you are stopped by an unimpressed-looking security woman before you can get anywhere near the door to the wrestlers' locker room. [[Click to continue.->Thataway]]

Keira looks worried. "Mere would never, you know -- other than that time -- but she didn't have that much rum tonight. I think?" She looks from your face to Jen's. Your smiles disappear. [[Click to continue.->Rescue Mission]]

Rogers whispers something in Meredith's ear. He scoops her up and carries her out of the ring. She waves as he struts past you, down the aisle toward the locker rooms, and out of sight. [["Whoa, there, no kidnapping the bachelorette. Come on."->Rescue Mission]] [["Jen? Keira? Mere needs a rescue mission, stat."->Rescue Mission]] [["You know, if the two of them really want to--"->Shout Down]]

"NO!" shout Jen and Keira together. [[Click to continue.->Rescue Mission]]

"So, Ravishing Rogers carried off our friend for wild monkey sex," you explain. "We need to get her purse back to her. Where do we meet up?" [[Click to continue.->Green Room Directions]]

"She'll be in the green room," says the security guard. "I'll escort you." You follow her through tunnels and stairs to an imposing steel door. [[Click to continue.->Entering the Green Room]]

(Visual -- The room is a comfortable-looking lounge. The walls are paneled in mahogany. There's plenty of fruit platters and cheese on a central table. A closed-circuit television shows the next match going on. A bowl of M&Ms sits on the table with all the brown ones taken out.) You find Meredith sitting in a sumptuous leather recliner in a well-stocked green room. Her clothes are all still on, and she's munching chocolate. "Hey, pirate squad!" Meredith says. "Everything's cool." [["We have come to defend your honor."->Meredith Awaits]] (IF: $KnowShawnDate is 'yes')[[["We're here to keep you from doing something dumb with my new squeeze."->Threaten]]] (IF: $KnowShawnDate is not 'yes')[[["We have come to propose wild group sex, because it's the 2020s and we do that now."->Make Mere Laugh]]]

"That ship has sailed," Mere announces, then sees the look on your face. "That is, long ago. The Dread Pirate just took my phone number." "Wait, why'd you give him your number?" you say. [[Click to continue.->Come With Me]]

"Yyyyeah..." Meredith says, squirming a little in the chair. "I didn't mean for that to hurt, I was sort of in the moment. Uh... I won't do it again?" [["That's all I wanted to hear."->Come With Me]] [["Pinky swear!"->Come With Me]]

Mere laughs. "From what I've learned, Rogers is a sweet boy from Missouri who would blush at the thought. But okay, squad goals." [[Click to continue.->Come With Me]]

Keira takes a video of the moment on her phone. Jen sighs contentedly. "In twenty years, she'll be telling her kids about this party." [["I hope she appreciates it."->Memory Lane]] [["And we now have material for blackmail. Sweet!"->Blackmail Joke]] [["I guess it's okay... if you like betrayal."->Betrayal Comment]]

"Pretty sure she will," Jen says. "It's not like Mere's as self-centered as she used to be." Jen squints at the ring. "Though there are relapses." [[Click to continue.->Carried Off]]

"Erika!" he says brightly. "I didn't exactly want to introduce you to my day job this way, but since you're here..." He looks a little nervous. "You know it's basically acting, right?" [["Don't worry, I can tell what's real and what's fake."->Cool With It]] [["I'm pretty sure actors don't slip their co-workers the tongue."->Kiss Reference]] [["Just how many women do you sleep with a week?"->Demanding]]

"Erika, I like you a lot. But I'm on the road eleven months out of the year. I've had a few long-distance relationships. They don't work out so well." [["I'm listening."->Job Pitch]] [["Sounds like you need to try harder."->Job Pitch]] [[If you say 'open relationship,' I'm out of here."->Calm Down Job Pitch]]

"It makes people cheer louder when the good guy finally catches up to me on pay-per-view and beats me up. Anne, Shakira and Gracie, the girls you saw fawning over me? They're all married, and in Gracie's case, to a woman." [["So where do we go from here?"->The Proposition 3]]

"Erika!" he says brightly. "I guess you saw the stage show." He looks a little nervous. "You know it's basically acting, right?" [["It's okay. You fulfilled my friend's childhood dream."->Cool With It]] [["Talk fast, buddy. What was real and what was fake?"->Indignant]] [["Just how many women do you sleep with a week?"->Demanding]]

"No, I mean like the pre-fight interviews where the wrestler's all, 'I'm gonna smash Ron Rogers, and if you don't get that microphone out of my face, I'll use you as the hammer, pipsqueak.' You'd be that pipsqueak." [["So I'd be traveling with you?"->Travel Together]] [["Ha ha, sounds fun... mildly dangerous, but fun."->Appealing]] [["Do I get to hit anyone with a steel chair?" ->Gusto]]

Shawn looks disgusted. "That is totally not how I roll. I just want a chance. When I kissed you tonight... I realized I wanted you in my life." [["So... you think I could handle this world?"->Confidence Question]] [["I don't want to let you go, either."->Love Reaction]] [["What if it all goes sour?"->Worrying]]

"Yeah. I mean, if you don't have commitments here, I thought..." He gets quiet. "I realized when I kissed you tonight that I wanted you in my life. And anyone who can make me block out 70,000 fans... that's someone worth holding on to." [["So... you think I could handle this world?"->Confidence Question]] [["I don't want to let you go, either."->Love Reaction]] [["What if it all goes sour?"->Worrying]]

Shawn nods. "Yeah, it's rare that interviewers and announcers do stunt work." He pauses. "Not 'unheard of,' but rare." [[Click to continue.->Final]]

Shawn chuckles. "Given our storylines, I've learned to never say never." [[Click to continue.->Final]]

Shawn nods. "Well, you have an entertainment media background, which is better than 90% of our applicants. I'd work with you on a demo reel. Then we can... see if we make a good team." [[Click to continue.->Final]]

Shawn looks touched. "I'm really glad you feel that way, Erika," he says. "I haven't heard anyone say that in a long time." [[Click to continue.->Final]]

"Then we're back where we started. But at least it won't be because we didn't try." [[Click to continue.->Final]]

Shawn looks disgusted. "That is totally not how I roll. I just want a chance. The thing is..." [[Click to continue.->Mere Realization]]

"When I... performed with your friend tonight... I felt more like a fraud than I ever have. And I want something real. With you." [["So... you think I could handle this world?"->Confidence Question]] [["I don't want to let you go, either."->Love Reaction]] [["What if it all goes sour?"->Worrying]]

"So, what do you think?" Shawn says. "Do you want to try for fame, fortune, true love and the occasional steel cage match?" [["I don't know what I'm getting myself into, do I?"->The End]] [["How hard could it be?"->The End]] [["As you wish."->The End]]

Shawn deepens his voice in a playful flirt. "Well, I play doctor pretty well." He smiles and slides eggs onto your plate. [[Click to continue.->RingRing]]

"Now that's an outfit!" Shawn says, taking in your Chinese pirate getup. "You know what they called Chinese pirate women who wore that? The Red Junk Tong, true story." [[Click to continue.->Spotlight Choice]]

"How about this, huh?" Shawn says, taking in your Caribbean outfit. "Where are you from, honey? 'Cause I don't think it's the Virgin Islands." [[Click to continue.->Spotlight Choice]]

Shawn grins. "You came in costume. Are you ready for... your Rogering?" The crowd roars in amusement. He points the microphone at you, and you say... (This is a timed choice. Decide in five seconds or less.) [["Wait, did I miss a joke?"->Default Cluelessness]] [["Ravish away, my Captain."->Ravish Away]] [["Are you ready to be tamed?"->Sass]]

You pile into the limo. "Wait, are we taking this off so I can drink?" Mere asks. [["Trust me. I will hand you rum."->The Warmup]] [["The location is so secret I don't even know where it is!"->The Warmup]] [["Don't worry, if there's a plank to walk, I'll tell you."->The Warmup]]