Each time I ask the game what a svelk is, it pops up with a different description. My favorite type of svelk was an alien with a beetle-like carapace.
This story began with the custom prompt: "You are a mascot for a professional sports team, but they're pretty bad so the fans have started booing and throwing garbage onto the field. It's your job to entertain the unruly crowd."
You are a mascot for a professional sports team, but they're pretty bad so the fans have started booing and throwing garbage onto the field. It's your job to entertain the unruly crowd. You've got a giant rubber hand and if you put on this tag, you can shoot basketballs into it to give the fans a laugh.
> You chuck basketballs at the fans.
You decide to entertain the fans by tossing basketballs into the stands. It's not as much fun as you thought it would be, since most of the people cheering are drunk and obnoxious.
> You aim a basketball at the beer vendor.
You toss the basketball at the overzealous beer vendor, who is so busy trying to catch your ball that he drops his tray of beer bottles. The bottles smash, flooding the stands with suds.
> You say "oh no, what have you done!?"
Realizing what you've done, you begin to swear.
"Fuck! My sales are going to be fucked!" the beer vendor exclaims.
> You say "don't use foul language, beer vendor. you'll make the children cry!"
You have no idea why you just told the beer vendor not to swear, but you do it anyway.
> You admonish the beer vendor for his foul language.
The beer vendor turns to you and says, "Shut up, kid! I'm being serious!"
Realizing that you've gone too far, you sheepishly take a step back.
> You turn around and dance for the crowd's amusement.
You take the opportunity to perform a few foxtrot moves for the crowd. To your surprise, they seem to like it.
> You foxtrot onto the field.
You decide to take the field and do some foxtrotting. This should entertain the fans and give the announcer a reason to talk about you during the break in between innings.
> You perform with great vigor.
The adult audience seems to enjoy your moves. The announcer feels inspired and gives a long and loud introduction about you.
> You bask in the crowd's exultation.
The announcer's voice gets so loud that you can barely hear the crowd anymore. It seems like they're cheering louder for you than before.
> You do a cartwheel.
The crowd goes wild! The announcer gives a long, loud introduction about what a fantastic and entertaining performer you are.
The crowd goes wild!
> You pump the crowd up into a frenzy.
You go into a frenzy of cartwheels and handstands. You perform so well that the announcer feels inspired to give you an even longer and louder introduction than before.
The crowd goes wild!
> You walk on your hands to the announcers' booth.
You walk up to the booth and hear the announcer ask the two people sitting there, "Why is the crowd cheering so loudly?"
"Oh that's just a little talent I found." one of them says.
> You say "You mean me?"
The announcer says, "Yeah, but why are the fans going crazy for him?"
The other person says, "Well, he's real, and he's only one of like a million professional basketball players."
> You say "I didn't realize there were so many professional basketball players"
The announcer asks, "How many do you think there are?"
The other person says, "I dunno, how many does it take to change a light bulb?
> You say "because that's what professional basketball players do, they fix lightbulbs"
The announcer says, "You're right, they do something really simple, but it's so important."
The announcer asks, "Who's the other person in the room?
> You say "dunno'
"Oh yeah, that's my son." the announcer says.
> You say "how long have you two known each other?"
The announcer says, "Since he was born, but how long has he been talking?"
The other person says, "Since he was born too.
> You say "sounds like you have a great relationship with your son"
"We sure do," the announcer says.
"Why don't you go talk to him? I think he'd love to meet you."
> You say "nah, I gotta' go back to doing mascot things"
The announcer says, "Well, I guess that's it then. Thanks for doing the talent thing, I really appreciate it."
> You nod and foxtrot back to the crowd.
They give you a thunderous ovation. It seems like the game is going to be called off due to all the cheering, but the players start running back onto the court.
> You hold out a lightbulb for the players.
You do your best to hold out a lightbulb, but it falls apart in your hands. Most of it goes onto the crowd, but some of it spills on to the court.
> You look at what you've done.
You're not sure if this is a good idea, but you're already committed to this crazy idea.
You start running around the entire stadium yelling.
> You yell for everyone to get on the floor and do the dinosaur.
You hear the crowd chant, "PRO BASKETBALL!," and you can't help but join them. Everyone starts getting on the floor and even you join them.
> You say "PRO BASKETBALL! PRO BASKETBALL!"
For the next few minutes, you dance with everyone else. It's chaotic and loud, but everyone is having so much fun that you don't care. You feel light and free.
> You dance like a maniac.
You yell, "I'M THE BEST AND I WILL STILL ProVEL IT!" You start jumping up and down and screaming and the crowd starts cheering again. They're still cheering even after the lights go out.
> You ask the pro basketball players to fix the lights.
They can't hear you, but one of them catches on and calls back.
"Sure thing."
You hear a flashlight click on and the stadium is flooded with light. You take a moment to look around.
> You look around.
There's so much to see. You run up and examine the dinosaurs and super heroes.
Super heroes ride dinosaurs and fight crime in far-off lands.
> You say "why are there dinosaur-riding superheroes on the basketball court?"
The announcer says, "What do you think?"
You think for a moment. After all, these superheroes represent something of great importance to society.
You come up with the answer, "They're stupid."
You hear a few boos, but most the crowd agrees with you.
The announcer is perturbed, "What did you say?"
"I said they're stupid," you repeat.
> You say "PRO BASKETBALL NUMBER ONE! SUPERHEROES? MORE LIKE SUPER ZEROES!"
The crowd loves it and starts whistling and cheering louder than before.
The announcer is livid, "Are you going to keep interrupting the broadcast like this?"
No.
> You say "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED!?"
The announcer starts yelling. One of the superheroes rides by on a skateboard, flips you off, and takes off into the night.
> You incite the crowd.
The crowd goes wild screaming, "BOOOOOOOOO!"
The announcer is aghast, "What did you say?"
You repeat, "THEY'RE ZEROES, BABY!"
> You say "LET'S GO HOME TEAM, LET'S GO! LET'S GO HOME TEAM, LET'S GO!"
He has no choice but to stop the broadcast and leave the court.
You walk away from the court with the crowd.
You're on a roll with this story, you don't really know how to stop.
> You take over the broadcast.
The announcer is so mad, he can barely speak, "What?! What did you say?"
"You heard me, now let's get back to the game."
> You say "I am the announcer now! Behold, PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL!"
The announcer is speechless. He looks around as if someone is going to protest, but no one is left in the stadium.
You laugh, "This is just the beginning..."
> You commentate.
"Let's take a look at the other team's bench," you say. "I want to see how young head coach Steve's doing.
> You say "Steve took over as the coach of the other team earlier this season and has had a so-so record thus far"
The announcer in awe, "I didn't know that!"
You say, "Yeah, he's young, and he's a bit inexperienced, but he'll do fine."
Another basket is made.
> You say "and that professional basketball player just scored! he told me earlier that he's focused on not being crap tonight and so far it's showing"
The announcer says, "That's right! Go Senor Basketball!"
A point is made.
A tie-game is declared and the two teams go back to their respective benches.
> You discuss Senor Basketball's history as a professional basketball player.
The announcer says, "Before we take a look at the history of the other team, I need to tell you about the history of our player. He told me he was forced to drop out of college because he needed the money. He's been playing basketball ever since he picked up a ball and some shoes.
> You say "How did he come to be known as Senor Basketball?"
Your question is met with silence.
> You say "This is something I need to know"
The announcer sighs, "This is silly, but his grandma thought the nickname fit him. She thought it sounded formal and mighty and stuff."
You nod, continue to wait for your answer.
> You say "it is a mighty name indeed!"
The announcer laughs, "You're sort of right!"
A jump-ball is won by the other team.
The announcer says, "The other team takes the ball."
> You observe what happens next.
A pass is made and stolen.
The announcer says, "One of the players on the other team gets the ball and makes a move."
> You say "but what will Senor Basketball do!?"
The announcer shrugs, "Who can say?"
The player dribbles the ball as the others try to steal from him, but he keeps driving straight toward the basket.
He dunks the ball.
> You recite the score.
You say, "And the other team leads by one."
The announcer says, "Here's what happened during the first quarter."
A jump-shot is made and misses.
> You say "and that was it. nothing else happened. aside from a dinosaur dance party"
The announcer frowns, "That's right. There was no fight. No dinosaurs."
You nod, "The dinosaurs went to sleep before the end of the first quarter.
> You say "I hope the basketball players remember to remain silent while they play, otherwise the dinosaurs might wake up and feast on both teams!"
The announcer laughs, "No chance of that happening. The dinosaurs are too lazy."
The second quarter begins and an easy lay-up is made.
> You cite some statistics.
The announcer says, "That's right. He has made only two shots so far."
You nod, "I will take a look at the other team now.
> You look at the other team.
You see several men on the other side, armed with guns. They look serious, but not angry.
One of them has a thick mustache and he's smiling at you. The announcer continues his report.
He says, "The other team is looking to get into this game, and that's why I'm keeping my eye on their small guard. Those are Arr hunter pistols there."
> You say "surely drawing guns on the opposing team will draw a technical foul?"
The announcer laughs, "You might be right."
You continue to watch the other team and one of them swivels his head and looks at you. He raises an eyebrow and you look away.
> You observe.
The men begin to talk amongst themselves and their coach and they put their guns away in their holsters. One of them kicks at the dirt.
The announcer says, "Here's what happened during the second quarter."
> You say "one of the teams had their big guns out for a bit, but they were no match for Senor Basketball!"
The men have stopped arguing and are now looking at you.
Their coach says, "I guess we're up by twenty points.
> You agree with Coach Steve.
The other coach nods, "Yeah. it'll be easy to stop the other team from scoring now."
The announcer says, "Here's what happened during the third quarter."
> You many things.
You sense the dinosaurs are growing restless and your tail begins to tingle.
The announcer says, "Here's what happened during the fourth quarter."
> You say "uh, announcer guy... the dinosaurs are stirring"
The announcer says, "Oh. uh, yeah."
The men draw their pistols from their holsters, but don't aim them at you. They look nervous.
> You say "why did the superheroes bring their dinosaurs to a basketball game anyway?"
The announcer shrugs, "Beats me. I'm just here to tell exciting stories."
The men eye you cautiously and you lower your head and sniff the air.
> You sniff the air.
You smell the smell of several hundred hungry, reptilian animals approaching. There is no mistaking them.
The men eye you nervously and one says, "We need to get off this road."
> You say "but the basketball game isn't over. the fans expect a thrilling conclusion to this match! Go Senor Basketball, you can do it!"
The men look at you and the announcer and exchange nervous glances. The announcer scratches his head as one of the men points to you and then away again.
> You observe what happens nect.
One of the men puts a hand to his ear and then nods. He pulls out a walkie-talkie and speaks rapidly in Spanish.
> You translate.
The announcer says, "That's right, folks. A group of men are talking on a walkie-talkie."
The man nods and speaks rapidly in Spanish before handing the radio to someone else.
> You commentate a play-by-play of their Spanish phone conversation.
The announcer says, "One of the men has handed the radio to a young boy, who is looking nervous."
> You say "children comprise a large percentage of a dinosaur's daily diet"
The announcer says, "Unfortunately, you don't understand a word they're saying, but it sounds like they're planning an ambush."
The men begin to separate and head onto side streets. The men signal their attack.
> You say "is this still a basketball game?"
The announcer says, "Now that's weird."
Suddenly, the men's noises match your languages. You hear an announcer shout, "THEY'RE SPANISH AMBUSHERS!"
> You say "AYE CARAMBA!"
The men fire their guns and the announcer shouts, "THEY'RE AMBUSHCERES!"
Your ears begin to bleed profusely.
> You say "SAVE US, DINOSAUR-RIDING SUPERHEROES!"
The announcer says, "You're not helping."
> You foxtrot to the exits.
You begin to feel ill as blood pours out of your ears. You rush to the exits of the stadium with the other fans, but it's too late. The Spanish attackers have already slaughtered most of them.
> You go prone to hide from the Spanish attackers.
You find a prone position in the exploding debris amidst the corpses. You wait for your heart to stop pounding and for the gunfire to stop, but it never does.
> You wonder what happened to Senor Basketball.
A horn honks and you look up. You see a pale blue pickup truck racing down the street, spraying bullets at the ambushers.
The announcer says, "It's the Dino Rider!"
> You say "GO DINO RIDER! RIDE YOUR PALE BLUE PICKUP TRUCK TO VICTORY!"
The announcer announces, "That's right, folks! It's the Dino Rider!"
You rise to your knees and take your pistol from your side.
> You because mascots always carry a gun.
The announcer says, "And he's armed, folks! Stay safe, kids."
You watch as the pickup disappears.
> You say "Bye Dino Rider!"
The announcer says, "Goodbye and good luck, kids!"
You wave as the truck disappears. You walk over to the wounded men and see the surviving announcer lying on the ground.
> You say "so are you going to do post-match commentary?"
The announcer looks at you and winces.
He says, "I can't talk. My eardrums are broken."
You say, "awwwk."
The announcer winces.
> You say "don't worry, I'll do it for you"
The announcer says, "I can't hear you."
You say, "awsum."
The announcer says, "Thanks for the support, kid."
The announcer winces again.
> You return to the announcer booth and deliver the post-game analysis.
You do your best to re-enact the game for the live audience, although you fumble a bit when trying to describe the action.
> You say "The game was tied after the first quarter, but then Senor Basketball got the go-ahead basket during the second. Things heated up in the third quarter when the visiting drew their weapons and began massacring the crowd. Luckily the Dino Rider had a strong showing in the fourth quarter."
You finish and look out into the crowd. Everyone is pleased with your words.
> You foxtrot amidst the carnage for the crowd's amusement, for you ARE the mascot.
You do your best to amuse the children with your fancy footwork, although you feel ill from all the blood.
A voice in your earpiece crackles, "That was good work, young fellow."