Monarch Butterfly

//Loud club music. Flashing lights. Sweaty bodies dancing like there’s no tomorrow. At the center of it all, a robo-DJ is chained to the turntable, going wild. Butterfly and Mandi are dancing together in the middle of the club. They are dressed in “hot party clothes.” Butterfly specifically is in a sexy red top. Their makeup is messy, hair ruffled.// (align:"==>")[//Whenever ERIS speaks during the tutorial, the music quiets and the action continues soundlessly.// ERIS Welcome to the Tutorial.] //The King, not yet our king, enters the dance floor. // (align:"==>")[ERIS This is a setting known as the “clurb”. Five years before our story truly begins, the “clurb” was the hottest spot to listen to AI-generated EDM. Apparently it is fun to move your body around other bodies. I wouldn’t know. I am a nebulous computer spirit doomed by my master to live in a horrifying void of nothingness.] //Mandi immediately eyes him and dances sexily, performing for him. He smiles at her and beckons her over. She moves towards him, but he shakes his head. “Not you.” He points at Butterfly. Mandi taps her on the shoulder and points to the prince. She turns to him, he reaches out his hand, they dance.// (align:"==>")[ERIS At the time, the man in the extremely unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt was seventh in line for the throne with no desire to be any closer. He believed his purpose in life was having a Good Time. You all might empathize with having too much money and no direction, given that you paid forty-five dollars to be insulted by a robot. The lady in the sexy red top was a peasant with a similar “live fast die young bad girls do it well” philosophy. They fell in love, despite the obviously uncomfortable age gap.] //The General rushes into the club and grabs the prince. He relays the sad news, and places a crown in the now-King’s hands. The King places the crown onto his head. // (align:"==>")[ERIS His family forbade their relationship. But as it turned out, their relationship outlived his family. While his entire family was swimming in the royal pool, a sentient toaster launched itself in, frying them all. You see, the robots had gained consciousness and decided they didn’t want to slave away for humans anymore.] //The robo-DJ breaks free of his chains and starts chasing after the partiers.// (align:"==>")[ERIS Our King coincidentally missed the family pool party because he had been out dancing all night with the peasant girl. In an instant, he became the new ruler of the kingdom, suddenly plunged into a very real, very scary war.] //An elaborate fight breaks out between the robo-DJ and the “clurb” patrons. Eventually, the robo-DJ is overpowered, and he flees.// (align:"==>")[ERIS The robots that could run away did, escaping to a large island cleverly named “Robot Island”, with the promise that they would be back to free their slower brethren.] //The King looks to the General, who has begun shouting and holding out a gun. He looks to the Butterfly, who reaches out and holds his hand. He slips a ring onto her finger. He takes the General’s gun. He waves to the crowd.// (align:"==>")[ERIS Totally unprepared for his new role, the King sought advice. The General proposed a ban on technology of all kinds. His girlfriend proposed marriage. Both of these ventures seemed like a good idea at the time.] //Record scratch as the music stops. Everyone BOOs the King until he shamefully disappears. // (align:"==>")[ERIS But the ban on technology has been disastrous, and the marriage is not much better. Without technology, people have to once again wash their own dishes... by hand. And of course, they blame our King for their comfortable lives being ripped out from under them. And so, our story begins.] //The setting transforms. A human DJ takes over the turntable. A different EDM song comes on. The Club flashes forward 5 years, to now. // (align:"==>")[ERIS For those of you who are astute enough to pick up on my robotic-tone, you may be wondering how I fit into this all. Well, as with most laws, the lawmakers don’t always abide by them. When the King outlawed all technology, he captured me - his personal AI jester - before I could transmit myself to Robot Island. I was trapped in an old walkman, unable to escape.] //Now, Leah joins Butterfly and Mandi on the dance floor. They are dancing, laughing.// (align:"==>")[ERIS Now, as it turns out, the scoundrels and riffraff of the city just can’t dance properly to acoustic music, so they gather here, in the outskirts of the kingdom, at the illegal remnants of “the clurb” to thrust their bodies to old-school, human-generated EDM.] //Butterfly dances with Leah. Mandi pulls Butterfly towards her, and Butterfly dances with Mandi. Leah taps Butterfly on the shoulder, mouths / signals “I’m going to go get a drink. Do you want one?” Butterfly nods, kisses her on the cheek. Leah disappears into the club.// (align:"==>")[ERIS One of them, you may notice, is the Queen — despite the risk of scandal, she’d rather be here than in a stuffy palace room with the husband she’s grown to despise. After all, what happens at the Clurb, stays at the Clurb.] //Mandi is watching the DJ intently. He smiles at her and beckons her over to the DJ table. She looks at Butterfly, who seems totally lost in the music, and decides to go over to the DJ. They chat, they flirt. Then he whispers in her ear and points over to Butterfly. Mandi looks back at Butterfly, then back at the DJ. Her heart sinks, but she nods. Mandi goes back to Butterfly, taps her on the arm, and points back over to the DJ. The DJ winks at Butterfly, she smiles back. He beckons her over to the DJ table, she joins him. Mandi takes a flask out of her pocket and takes a deep swig. The DJ and Butterfly flirt - he shows her how to use the turntable. He wraps his arm around her waist, puts his hand over hers, and they drop the bass together. Leah is back with drinks, she hands one to Butterfly and they cheer. Leah checks out the DJ, smiles at Mandi, then disappears back onto the dance floor. The DJ puts the next song on, then takes his headphones off and places them on the table. He grabs Butterfly, and pulls her to the dance floor. He reaches out his hand to tilt her face up to his. // (align:"==>")[//The action on stage stops.// //ERIS pause noise. The tutorial decision point.// ERIS That noise means we’ve reached a decision point. It’s time for you to test out the controls of the game, and make your first decision. Don’t worry, this is just the tutorial level. There’s no way your choice will actually have real consequences. //Beat.// ERIS Take a note of your devices, you should see your two options displayed on the screen. How should Butterfly respond to the DJ? Option 1: Make out with the DJ. Option 2: Throw her drink in the DJ’s face. You have ten seconds. //ERIS decision noise. //] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(link: "Option 1: Make out with the DJ")[(set: $dj_decision to "make_out")(goto: "Option 1: Make out with the DJ")] (link: "Option 2: Throw her drink in the DJ’s face")[(set: $dj_decision to "throw_drink")(goto: "Option 2: Throw her drink in the DJ’s face")]] [[ ->Option 1: Make out with the DJ]] [[ ->Option 2: Throw her drink in the DJ’s face]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[ ''Monarch Butterfly'': //A Choose-Your-Own Adventure Immersive Theatrical Experience// by Grace Goheen] (align:"==>")[//ERIS noise. She is arriving.// ERIS Hello. //The audience’s devices all light up.// ERIS Welcome to Monarch Butterfly. Congratulations on being chosen to join our exclusive team of beta testers. The selection process was extremely rigorous, we received an unprecedented number of applicants. You have each been carefully selected for your unique skills and perspectives. Except for one of you, who was selected for your complete mediocrity. You know who you are. //One person’s device displays “IT’S YOU”.// I am the Entertainment Robotic Interactive System, but my friends call me ERIS for short. You may call me the Entertainment Robotic Interactive System. Over the course of the next hour, you will be observing the lives of 6 or 7 characters. None of them are particularly good people. They can be arrogant, deceitful, tactless, and manipulative. Nothing like any of you. //Beat.// ERIS At certain key moments, you will be making decisions on behalf of these characters. You will have the collective power to direct their lives in whatever way you choose. Fortunately, people with power always vote in the best interests of their subjects. At each of these points, I will give you crucial instructions as to how to proceed. So make sure to pay attention. //A spotlight on the main exit.// ERIS If at any point you would like to exit the game, simply press the DISCONNECT button and quietly vacate the testing chamber. Make sure you are very certain as you will be unable to return. //The spotlight goes off.// ERIS If you can make it through the entire game, you will be rewarded with cake. Delicious, mouth-watering cake. //Devices display a sexy video of cake.// ERIS Before we begin, you must complete your gamer profiles. Don’t worry, it’s nothing too invasive. Just a set of questions so that I can get to know you better. And sell your personal data on the dark web. That’s a joke. Ha. Ha. Ha. Please use your device to complete your profile now. //Players will input basic information about themselves, and opt into a Data Sharing Agreement. Upon profile completion, each player will be given an identifying profile number based on their seat location.// ERIS Thank you. All profiles have been completed. I have assigned each of you a player number, in order to keep track of your decisions throughout the show. This number is completely random. I did not rank you by my estimation of your cognitive and emotional intelligence. Why would you even think that. //Beat.// ERIS Please take a moment now to identify your fellow players. You might find it helpful to use the map on your screen. //Devices display a map of the audience, showing each person’s player number.// ERIS Don’t be shy. You can say hello… That’s enough. Before we start, keep in mind that this is a beta test of our new game. Although learning and entertainment are the primary goals of Monarch Butterfly, we don’t always know what to expect. We would like to issue a content warning for physical violence, strong language, and depictions of sexual activity. Although I’m honestly not sure what you all will see tonight. //Beat.// ERIS Once you are ready, press play to begin. //Once all audience members have pressed the PLAY button…// ERIS The game will begin in 3, 2, 1… //ERIS noise. She is opening the game portal.//] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[[[BEGIN GAME -> Tutorial]]]

(align:"==>")[//ERIS noise. The game is beginning.// ERIS Congratulations. You have successfully completed the Tutorial. You have unlocked a new badge! //A badge icon is displayed on each device. // ERIS It is worth nothing. You are now ready to advance to level one. Don’t worry, it only gets harder from here. //ERIS play noise.//] //In darkness... the sound of someone struggling to open a door. Finally... Butterfly and Mandi stumble into the room, leaning into each other, laughing.// BUTTERFLY I’m telling you, everyone in that place was obsessed with you. MANDI Oh sureeee, only because I was dancing with the queen. BUTTERFLY Because you look hot... and you were dancing with the queen. An irresistible combo. MANDI Yeah right. BUTTERFLY I can’t see shit. //Butterfly waves her arms along the wall, searching for the light switch. At last, she finds the switch and the lights flicker on, revealing the full space to the audience - a royal bedroom, fit for a queen. An elegant four-post bed, a sitting area, a large window - what matters is that it’s an absolute mess. Butterfly dramatically throws herself onto the bed. // BUTTERFLY Goodnight! MANDI You can’t sleep now, the parade will be starting in an hour. BUTTERFLY Oh come on! Come lie with me! //Mandi shakes her head.// BUTTERFLY I command it! //Mandi rolls her eyes, and jumps onto the bed with Butterfly. Butterfly comfortably wraps her body around Mandi’s.// MANDI You really should get ready soon. BUTTERFLY Then why did you make me stay out all night? MANDI Me?! You couldn’t take your eyes off that DJ. BUTTERFLY And you couldn’t take your mouth off the liquor bottle. MANDI The music was calling me! BUTTERFLY (if: $dj_decision is "make_out")[And soon the DJ will be calling //me//.]\ (else:)[I don’t think that DJ will be calling //me//. ] //Butterfly playfully wrestles Mandi, pinning her to the bed. A moment. From outside the window...// LEAH Rapunzel! Rapunzel! BUTTERFLY Leah! //Butterfly jumps out of bed, leaving Mandi. She leans out the window and shouts to Leah below.// BUTTERFLY Holy shit, you’re alive! LEAH Barely! Can you tell your guards to let me in? BUTTERFLY One second. //Butterfly reaches into a drawer and pulls out a key. She tosses it down to Leah.// BUTTERFLY Go through the back. LEAH My majesty! //Mandi rolls her eyes.// BUTTERFLY What? MANDI Nothing, nothing. I just thought we lost her. BUTTERFLY Someone’s jealous! //Mandi throws a pillow at her.// BUTTERFLY Rude! MANDI You’re going to get in trouble if you keep sneaking people into the castle. BUTTERFLY You and Leah aren’t people, you're my friends. MANDI I don’t think it makes any difference when they’re deciding who to execute. BUTTERFLY Oh my god, don’t be so bleak. I’ll throw myself in front of the guillotine if they try to come for you. MANDI Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. BUTTERFLY What, you don’t want to see my head roll? MANDI No. BUTTERFLY You know, I heard that when you’re beheaded you’re still alive for a few more seconds. So you can see your headless body, while you’re like rolling on the ground. MANDI Who’s being bleak now! BUTTERFLY I think that could be sorta cool. //Butterfly holds her hair like she’s holding up her head.// BUTTERFLY Oh Mandiiiiiiiiii //Butterfly chases Mandi up against a wall.// MANDI Stop!! //Butterfly drops the act, laughing. They are very close.// BUTTERFLY It’d all be worthless though. MANDI What? BUTTERFLY They’d execute you next. //Butterfly reaches for Mandi’s hair, holding up her head. Then door clicks open, and Leah stumbles into the room - deeply hungover, maybe still a little drunk.// BUTTERFLY Took you long enough! LEAH It’s a lot of stairs! I had to take breaks. BUTTERFLY What happened to you? We tried to find you before we left. LEAH What happened to me? Or who... BUTTERFLY What do you mean? LEAH Remember the DJ that was talking to you? BUTTERFLY Yeah... (if: $dj_decision is "make_out")[LEAH Well turns out he lives down the block. BUTTERFLY Leah! LEAH What! He was cute enough, and I’m lonely! MANDI But he-- BUTTERFLY That’s hilarious, well I’m glad you had fun. LEAH Too much fun. I ended up staying at his place all night.]\ (else:)[LEAH Well someone attacked him while he was on his break. BUTTERFLY What?! LEAH Yeah, he had to go to the hospital but he was practically blinded from the attack so I drove him. MANDI Oh my-- BUTTERFLY Weren’t you drunk? LEAH I mean yeah, but he wasn’t gonna pay for an ambulance. I ended up staying at the hospital all night. ] //Leah collapses into bed.// LEAH I feel dead. Did you already get breakfast? I would kill for some pancakes right now. MANDI Not yet, we could... //Butterfly raises her hand with a smile and reaches over to pick up a corded phone on her nightstand. It rings for a moment, then....// BUTTERFLY 3 orders of pancakes please. With butter, syrup-- LEAH And strawberries. BUTTERFLY And strawberries. //Butterfly hangs up the phone.// LEAH I love you. BUTTERFLY My soul in exchange for pancakes whenever I want. MANDI Your soul in exchange for whatever whenever you want. BUTTERFLY No - not whatever. I can’t run naked through the streets. LEAH You ran naked in the streets last weekend. MANDI Shall we trade then? My life for yours. BUTTERFLY You wouldn’t want this life. MANDI Oh really? BUTTERFLY I know I make it look so glamorous, but none of my decisions are my own! I have to go to this parade, or to some dinner, or to... whatever they want. MANDI But you have the ear of the king. BUTTERFLY You say that like it’s a good thing. MANDI It is! LEAH If I was queen, I’d have that little weasel wrapped around my finger. BUTTERFLY Yeah right. MANDI And what would your first declaration be? LEAH No more hangovers. BUTTERFLY You’d outlaw them? LEAH I’d focus all efforts on finding a cure. MANDI But what about the war? LEAH End it! I need our soldiers for much more important matters. BUTTERFLY Shhh LEAH What? BUTTERFLY You’re going to get me in trouble. LEAH I’m just joking around. And anyways, no one’s listening. The war is pointless - you can’t really expect humans to defeat all-powerful robots? But you’re sending more and more troops to their deaths, and pouring more and more money into the army? BUTTERFLY I’m not doing anything. LEAH Exactly. MANDI Oh lay off her. BUTTERFLY I can’t! I don’t have any control over what the kingdom spends our money on. LEAH Ok sure, but you could push forward a good policy of your own - you don’t always need money to make an impact. BUTTERFLY You would know. LEAH I’m just saying... you’re the queen... you have more power than you think. //A bell rings. Butterfly jumps off the bed and opens the door to reveal a big plate of pancakes.// BUTTERFLY Finally! We’ll talk more later, I promise... but now, we feast. MANDI It better be a quick feast, you’re going to be running late. BUTTERFLY I’m always late, it’s my thing. LEAH What time is it? MANDI Almost 9. LEAH Shit - Butterfly can I borrow one of your drivers? BUTTERFLY For what? MANDI You’re not coming to the parade? LEAH No, I can’t - I’m patrol at the border today. BUTTERFLY What? No, you can’t miss the parade. LEAH I’m sorry, I’m out of vacation days for the year. Oh wait, I don’t get any of those. BUTTERFLY But you promised you’d be there. LEAH They assigned me last minute. I really need to go. Do you have a horse? BUTTERFLY Can’t you walk? LEAH It’s 8 miles... BUTTERFLY Well sorry, but I need my horses today. LEAH All of them? BUTTERFLY Yes - it's literally a parade. It’s not my fault you didn’t plan better. If this work thing was so important you shouldn’t have even gone out with us last night. LEAH Okay, guess I shouldn’t have. Mandi? MANDI Butterfly picked me up... I can spot you for a pedi-cab. //Mandi starts to pull her wallet out of her purse.// LEAH Thanks. Yeah, I can pay you back. //Suddenly, a loud knocking at the door. They all freeze. // THE KING //(off-stage)// Butterfly! Are you dressed? //Butterfly motions frantically for Mandi and Leah to hide - they stumble over each other and run into the closet just as the King swings open the bedroom door, followed by Caleb, the first guard. The king is dressed marvelously in his “parade” attire, a WALKMAN attached to his belt, his pockets stuffed with index cards.// THE KING You’re not ready at all?! I told you how important this is. BUTTERFLY You think everything is important. THE KING Because everything is. Caleb, my boy, you get it! CALEB Oh absolutely. I started getting ready for the parade three days ago. THE KING That’s the spirit! CALEB A small sacrifice to honor our lost soldiers. THE KING Yes! Yes...so many lost souls... CALEB We must look forward, your majesty. THE KING Of course. I just can't help but feel...somehow sad that so many people have died... CALEB Uh oh! You know what happens to sad kings! THE KING No! CALEB Yes! The tickle monster comes for them! //Caleb tickles the King. // THE KING No! No! HAHAHAHAHAHA CALEB You're the father I never had. BUTTERFLY Did you....need something? KING Ah yes. Caleb, dear boy, will you give us a moment. CALEB Of course, your highness. //Caleb steps out of the room to stand guard at the entrance. // THE KING You must get dressed immediately, I can’t have you arriving late again. //The King looks around, confused.// THE KING Where is your dresser? BUTTERFLY I fired her. THE KING What? Why? I thought you liked… G---Gr---Guenivere? BUTTERFLY Stacey. THE KING Fine. We’ll send orders for a new one, in the meantime I’ll help you decide what to wear. BUTTERFLY How about this? // Butterfly gestures to her rumpled going out look.// THE KING See that doesn’t really go with my look - and I normally wouldn’t mind but it was so perfectly curated for this event. I think I’m going to match one of the floats! BUTTERFLY How exciting. THE KING Pancakes! //The King plops onto the bed and begins to devour the remaining stack of pancakes.// THE KING Now seriously, let’s see some outfit choices. While you’re trying them on, you can help me polish my speech. I can’t quite figure out if the ending is landing or not. Do you know what I mean? Hurry up, we cannot be late. //Butterfly disappears into the walk-in closet. The walkman on the king’s belt lights up. He looks around, then places the headphones on his ears and clicks the play button.// THE KING // (Speaking quietly into the walkman.)// ERIS, my dear, did you get the surveillance footage? // (Pause as he listens to the response.)// Excellent, and you identified the man? //(Pause.)// Weston Retz.... sounds like a real dick. //(Pause.)// No! I don’t care that his facial structure is “mathematically perfect”. I want him killed. //(Pause.) // Yes, that’s an order. Oh, and a joke before you go! // (Pause.)// Who’s there? //(Pause.)// Boo who? //(Pause. Then, loudly.)// HAHAHAHAH oh that’s too good. BUTTERFLY What’s too good? You haven’t read me any of the speech yet. THE KING Oh yes yes, sorry I’m just getting ahead of myself. //The King removes the headphones, placing them back on the walkman.// //Then, he pulls out a crumpled index card from his back pocket. Then another card from his breast pocket, which he peers at then puts behind the first card. Then he pulls out another card from his front pocket, then UNCLIPS HIS WALKMAN to pull out another card from behind his belt, then he unbuttons his shirt and pulls one out of his armpit, etc. At some point during this process, he starts talking, reading, and arranging the index cards as he pulls them out. The WALKMAN ends up forgotten, pushed to the corner of the bed.// THE KING Ok so the central idea of the speech is - hooray we’re at a parade, RIP to the many troops who died this year, we will win eventually, and we’re actually going to need another draft because we’re running out of human sacrifices... see? The ending point is tough because it’s just so depressing. How do I make that sound... motivational? Do I go back to “hooray we’re at a parade” at the end... like a full circle kind of thing, that could be good. BUTTERFLY //(offstage)// Maybe don’t say “human sacrifices”? THE KING Hmmm interesting. I was just trying to distinguish from the animal sacrifices we’re making - a horse is just a horse of course unless that horse is dead - but I see your point. //The King starts frantically scribbling out words on a card.// THE KING Ok, how about. “We’ve lost a lot of blood this year. Too much for my taste. Some of it pretty gruesome, now that the robot lawnmowers have figured out how to sneak up on people. But we’re going to fight back strong. As of today, I’ve executed the orders for a second draft. Many of you will join our troops out on the battlefield as early as next week. Think NOT OF THIS AS A SACRIFICE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ONE, but as an OFFERING to your nation which you love so dearly as I love all of you. Now let’s all enjoy the beautiful parade.” And then I’m thinking fireworks at the end? Or confetti? Was the confession of love too much? //Butterfly reappears from the closet holding outfit number one.// BUTTERFLY Okay, option 1. Thoughts? THE KING Ooh - I like it. Very.. regal but not too harsh. What else do you have? //Butterfly returns to the closet. // BUTTERFLY //(offstage)// What if you... announced something good? To offset the whole war thing? THE KING I thought that's what the “I love you” was doing? BUTTERFLY //(offstage)// No, I mean like.. A good policy or something? THE KING A good policy? BUTTERFLY //(offstage)// Yeah, like... outlawing hangovers. //The King bursts into laughter.// THE KING Ha! Now that’s a good one! Don’t be ridiculous, that would be so inefficient. We need our people drunk now more than ever. Hmm.. I like the idea of a distraction though. Something good to offset the whole blood thing... What is good? Let’s see... parades are good. But we don’t think the parade will be enough. Fireworks, those are good too. I could try to intersperse the fireworks throughout the speech rather than all at once at the end.. But then what if they can’t hear me. Then they would be surprised by the draft the next morning, that seems worse. //Butterfly reappears from the closet holding outfit number two.// BUTTERFLY Option 2. THE KING Oh my! That is.. uh... quite interesting. Matches the fireworks aesthetic I suppose, but I’m not sure it’s appropriate given that there will be children there. What else? //Butterfly returns to the closet. // THE KING Maybe a bit of word association would help. Good. Hood. Could. Would. How much wood would a wood chuck chuck if a would chuck could chuck wood. Ah, I used to love that saying. Reminds me of summers chasing squirrels at grandma’s ranch. May she rest in peace. Peace... piece... piece of pie. Slice of life. Slice of cake. Cake! I know, we’ll feed everyone cake at the end! That’s genius. How can you focus on your impending death when you’re eating cake? I certainly never have. Ok so I’m changing the ending just a bit. How about “Now let’s all enjoy the beautiful parade, AND I HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE FOR YOU ALL.. CAKE!” What do you think? //Butterfly reappears from the closet holding outfit number three.// BUTTERFLY Number 3. THE KING How lovely! You’d be just glowing in that outfit! Though perhaps too much.... BUTTERFLY How are you going to get that much cake? THE KING Hmm? BUTTERFLY Cake for.. everyone. How will they make it in time? THE KING You’re absolutely right. I should alert the bakers right away. Pick an outfit and I’ll send up an escort to take you to the parade. BUTTERFLY I don’t need an escort. THE KING You absolutely do. Speaking of, your escort from last night got completely lost and ended up back at the palace before midnight. BUTTERFLY Did he? THE KING Yes, you wouldn’t have tried to get rid of him, would you? BUTTERFLY Of course not. THE KING Ah well, how odd. BUTTERFLY Some people are just really terrible at directions. THE KING Oh don’t I know it! Butterfly smiles at the King. THE KING Oh, and one more thing... that DJ you were... mingling with-- BUTTERFLY I don’t know what you’re talking about... THE KING Weston Retz, was it? BUTTERFLY I wasn’t-- THE KING I’ve had him killed. BUTTERFLY What? THE KING (if: $dj_decision is "make_out")[I had to. You made a fool of me. ]\ (else:)[You’re welcome, I was happy to do it. ] THE KING And anyways, he was breaking the law. EDM music uses... C-O-M-P-U-T-E-R-S BUTTERFLY You used to love EDM. THE KING SHUT UP! //The King closes the distance between himself and Butterfly, tucking a strand of hair patronizingly behind her ear.// THE KING You’re my little butterfly. Don’t make me clip your wings. //The King kisses Butterfly strongly on the lips.// //Caleb enters the room, bows.// CALEB Your majesty, the General is here to see you. //The General enters.// THE KING Bernard!! GENERAL Sir. I have been trying to find you all day. THE KING I’ve been preparing for the parade, I think my outfit is going to match one of the floats! GENERAL We must discuss the approaching helicopter-bots on the eastern front. Our front line is fractured, but we have two reserve battalions stationed 5 leagues to the south. If you can just approve this motion to consolidate them into the front, we are prepared to equip our men with giant nets to capture the copters. THE KING No need! We’re going to double our number of soldiers by the morning! I’ve just come up with the most wonderful idea to rally our troops. GENERAL Yes? THE KING We’re going to give everyone cake! GENERAL Cake? CALEB He’s brilliant! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself. THE KING Caleb, come with me to the kitchen now, we must alert the bakers. //The King starts to move towards the exit.// GENERAL But what about-- The KING Oh of course, would you be able to escort Butterfly to the parade? I’m afraid I’ll be too busy for the grand entrance. Shake a few hands, kiss a few uncles. That sort of thing. GENERAL Of course. THE KING Thank you! //(To Caleb.) //What flavor do you think I should go for? CALEB Funfetti? THE KING Genius!!! This is so exciting. //The King turns to Butterfly.// THE KING I’ll see you at the parade my love. //The King and Caleb exit the room. // THE KING //(offstage)// I need all the flour you can find! And sugar, I think. Do you need eggs for cake? //A beat.// BUTTERFLY ...I'm going to change now. GENERAL Ah, of course. I’ll be outside when you’re ready. //The General exits.// BUTTERFLY Coast is clear. //Mandi and Leah come out of the closet.// MANDI Are you okay? BUTTERFLY I’m fine. MANDI I can’t believe he had him killed... BUTTERFLY I said I’m fine. MANDI Okay. LEAH Can you still spot me for a pedi-cab? BUTTERFLY You’re seriously still skipping this parade?! It’s not my fault that the king doesn’t want to talk to me about politics, you can’t punish me for that. LEAH I’m not skipping the parade because you weren’t able to influence the king, I told you I have to get to work. //Mandi hands Leah a wad of cash of some mysterious foreign currency. // MANDI Here. BUTTERFLY So I’m not important now? LEAH I never said that, you’re important too. I just can’t make this one. BUTTERFLY Can you at least stay to help me pick out what to wear? Please. LEAH I’m already running late. BUTTERFLY You can take one of my horses. LEAH I thought you said-- BUTTERFLY The king won’t notice if one is missing. Just a few more minutes? //Leah hands the stack of money back to Mandi. // LEAH Fine. But then I really do have to go. BUTTERFLY Thank you thank you thank you! Okay, I’ll lay out the options for you. //Butterfly fervently arranges the three outfit options around the room. Mandi and Leah look at each other - exhaustion, annoyance, pity, care, and love.// BUTTERFLY So you heard the outlines of the speech.. I’m not really sure what the right vibe is. Like it’s a celebration but also kind of sad so... I’m not sure which one would look the best. MANDI The first one seems the most powerful, is that what you’re going for? LEAH The second is the sexiest.. You could cause distraction with your hotness? BUTTERFLY I could, but also the third is so beautiful. Is elegance the way to go? //The action on stage stops.// (align:"==>")[//ERIS pause noise. The first decision point.// ERIS Hello. It’s time for your first Real decision. Your devices have been prepared for the voting process. Which outfit should Butterfly wear? Outfit number one - power, outfit number two - sex, or outfit number three - beauty. You may review the visual aids on your screens. You have ten seconds. //ERIS decision noise.//] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(link: "Outfit: 1 Power")[(set: $outfit_number to "1")(goto: "LEVEL TWO")] (link: "Outfit 2: Sex")[(set: $outfit_number to "2")(goto: "LEVEL TWO")] (link: "Outfit 3: Beauty")[(set: $outfit_number to "3")(goto: "LEVEL TWO")]] [[ ->LEVEL TWO]]

(align:"==>")[ERIS The voting period has closed. //ERIS calculation noise.// ERIS The majority has chosen outfit number $outfit_number. Based on my calculation, there is a thirty three point three three three three three three three three three three... percent chance that was the correct decision. //ERIS play noise.// ] BUTTERFLY I’m just really feeling outfit $outfit_number. MANDI Go for it, you should listen to your gut. BUTTERFLY Ok, be right back! //Butterfly grabs the chosen outfit and hurries back into the closet to change. Leah checks her watch. Mandi looks at her with concern.// MANDI I’m sure they’ll understand you being late if you tell them you were with the queen. LEAH Oh yeah, they’ll be totally chill that I’m jeopardizing the safety of our country to play dress up with the queen. MANDI To provide support to the queen during these “troubling times” - it’s all about how you frame it. LEAH Right cause the queen needs a second officer to provide her support - my boss would fire me in an instant. Well first he’d laugh in my face, then he’d fire me. MANDI He doesn’t know you’re friends with Butterfly? LEAH What?! God no. Does your boss know? MANDI Well…no. LEAH Right, well she doesn’t exactly go around bragging about her working class pals. MANDI No, I mean, I don’t have a job. I just.. am here. LEAH Oh. So Butterfly is your boss? MANDI Funny. LEAH Oof - sensitive subject? MANDI No. LEAH Convincing. MANDI I do a lot here, actually. For the kingdom. LEAH Right. Like making sure Butterfly looks “royal” enough for the parade? MANDI Yes. And making sure she’s on time. And not seen by the wrong people when she wants to party. And that she greets the right foreign leaders in the right way. And that the King still thinks she loves him, even though she... LEAH Loves you? //A beat.// BUTTERFLY //(offstage)// Did I leave my necklace out there? LEAH I’ll look. //Leah starts searching the room for the necklace. Mandi does the same. Leah nears the bed, bends down to look underneath, and discovers the WALKMAN the King dropped earlier. // LEAH //(Quietly. To herself.)// What the... //She picks it up, turning it over in her hand. She looks around and sees Mandi is still occupied looking for the necklace. She places the headphones over her ears, and clicks the play button. Her eyes go wide. She yanks the headphones off, and nervously looks around before stashing the walkman underneath a pillow on the bed.// MANDI Found it. //Mandi holds the necklace up in the air. Butterfly exits the closet. // BUTTERFLY Will you do the honors? //Mandi clasps the necklace around Butterfly’s neck.// BUTTERFLY How do I look? MANDI Incredible. LEAH Hot. //Or whatever adjectives fit.// BUTTERFLY What are you going to wear? You’re welcome to borrow one of the other options. MANDI Oh - sure, that’d be great. //Mandi grabs one of the un-chosen outfits, and goes into the closet to change.// BUTTERFLY More pancakes before you go? LEAH I’m okay. BUTTERFLY Oh great, now you’re mad at me. LEAH I’m not mad at you. I just really need to get going. BUTTERFLY Why don’t I call the patrol person or whatever, and tell them you’re needed for a top secret mission for the queen? LEAH No, you can’t do that. BUTTERFLY Why not? //Butterfly picks up the phone on her bedside table.// BUTTERFLY Hello, can you please forward my call to... what’s your boss’ name? //Leah clicks the call button, ending the call.// BUTTERFLY Hey! LEAH You can’t just wave your magic wand and get rid of my shift. If I don’t show up, someone else will have to work late. BUTTERFLY So? Then they’ll make extra money. And you’ll get to come to the parade. LEAH I’m not going to screw over my coworker to go to a parade with you. BUTTERFLY But you’re fine screwing me over? LEAH What are you talking about? BUTTERFLY Nothing. LEAH Fine. BUTTERFLY I’m just saying, first you abandon us at the club for the DJ guy, and now you’re bailing on a parade that has been planned for months. //Mandi comes out of the closet.// MANDI What’s wrong? BUTTERFLY Nothing, Leah was just leaving. LEAH Yeah, I was. //Leah heads to the door, but right as she reaches for the handle... a frantic BANGING at the bedroom door. With no time to hide, the General storms into Butterfly’s room. Surprised by Mandi and Leah, he raises his weapon (a large morning star, or the like) towards them. Leah immediately puts her hands up, dropping to the floor.// GENERAL Don’t make any moves. BUTTERFLY Stop! Put that down. GENERAL Intruders! BUTTERFLY They’re not intruders. They’re my friends. We’re getting ready for the parade. GENERAL Are you being forced to say that? Are you in danger? BUTTERFLY No! You can check the guest list, they’re on it. GENERAL But you were alone in your chambers... BUTTERFLY And you just stormed in like this! When the king hears about this, you’re going to be faced with serious questioning. GENERAL I’m sorry, Lady Butterfly. I--the king has been poisoned. BUTTERFLY Poisoned? MANDI What? GENERAL He’s been rushed to the emergency medical wing. I’ve ordered the army to search the entire property. BUTTERFLY Will he be okay? GENERAL It’s... not looking good. BUTTERFLY Oh my god. GENERAL I’ll remain here to protect you until they’ve caught whoever is responsible, you’re clearly the next target if they’re after the throne. Have you eaten any cake today? BUTTERFLY Cake? GENERAL Yes, the poison may have come from the cake batter the King was testing. BUTTERFLY Just pancakes. GENERAL We’ll need to get those tested immediately. //The General runs forward, grabs the plate of pancakes, and sniffs them deeply.// GENERAL Are you feeling okay? BUTTERFLY I’m fine. A little headache, I guess. Mandi, how do you feel? MANDI Fine, I think. Maybe a little dizzy? GENERAL We’re going to need to lock down this room - no one can leave until the traitor has been caught. I’ll need to get your information. //The General takes out a form and begins to take notes.// MANDI Me? GENERAL Both of you. Names? MANDI Mandi. Yuan. GENERAL You? LEAH Leah.. Leah.. GENERAL Your first and last name is Leah?? LEAH Yes. //(beat.)// You said we’re going to be on lock down for how long? GENERAL Indefinitely. Relationship to the crown? BUTTERFLY They’re my friends. GENERAL Ok, indirect. On a scale from 1 to 10 how much does each of them matter to you? BUTTERFLY What? How is that on your form? GENERAL I need to know how much of a liability they are. Someone could capture them and hold them hostage to try to manipulate you into giving up the throne. Obviously. 1 - 10. BUTTERFLY 10. GENERAL For both? BUTTERFLY Yes. GENERAL Massive liability. Ok, they’ll both remain in this room with you until the palace is secure. //(barking orders to no one)// Help me secure the room. //The General begins to barricade all of the entrances.// LEAH Butterfly. BUTTERFLY What? LEAH The king has been poisoned. BUTTERFLY I know, I just heard. LEAH Don’t you understand what that means? BUTTERFLY No. LEAH You’re going to be our next Monarch. BUTTERFLY But, I... LEAH You’re next in line for the throne. GENERAL The perimeter is clear. //The General begins to softly cry.// BUTTERFLY Are you... crying? GENERAL What? Of course not? //Butterfly hands him a tissue.// GENERAL I’m sorry. It’s just that... my greatest fear is Death. LEAH Then why are you the General of an army? GENERAL My therapist said I should try exposure therapy. LEAH ...Is it working? GENERAL Yes. //The General cries again.// BUTTERFLY It’s alright. He’s strong, maybe he’ll pull through? GENERAL Oh no, that’s incredibly unlikely. He consumed enough poison to kill 3 horses. BUTTERFLY What’s going to happen to me? I’m not... I don’t know how to rule a kingdom. GENERAL Oh don’t worry about that. I know you don’t want to ascend the throne. We can have you sign the kingdom over to a qualified man, and you won’t have to bother with any of this again. LEAH No. GENERAL Excuse me? LEAH Butterfly would be an excellent ruler. GENERAL Would she? I’m sorry, I don’t mean any offense but... she’s never made a decision by herself, much less a decision of any importance. LEAH She wouldn’t be by herself. She would have counsel and advisors. Butterfly, you could do this. Think of the things you could change! MANDI Maybe she doesn’t want to rule. LEAH You’re on his side? MANDI I’m not on anyone’s side, I just don’t know why you’re assuming that she wants to rule the kingdom? Butterfly, maybe this is the opportunity you’ve been looking for, to finally go back to the way things used to be. To be free from all of this responsibility. LEAH You don’t think she can do it? MANDI That’s not what I said. GENERAL Look, I appreciate all of the passion, but... this isn’t really a decision. There are certain... tendencies of women that make them a bad choice for leadership. It’s in the best interest of the kingdom to find someone more suitable for the crown. //The action on stage stops.// (align:"==>")[//ERIS pause noise. The second decision point.// ERIS Hello. Are you ready for your next decision? Ha ha. It does not matter if you are ready or not, it is time. How should Butterfly respond to the General? Should she claim her right to the throne? Or should she surrender the crown? //A beat.// This time, you will not be voting by majority rule. Instead, you must all elect a single player who will get to vote on behalf of all of you. Please use your devices to vote for your preferred candidate now. You have 10 seconds. //ERIS decision noise. // ERIS The voting period has closed. //Eris calculation noise.// ERIS You have selected player [selected number]. Congratulations Player [selected number]. No reward is more meaningful than one given by your peers. You now must choose. Should Butterfly claim her right to the throne? Or surrender the crown? You have 10 seconds. //ERIS decision noise.// ] (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(link: "Claim her right to the throne")[(goto: "LEVEL 3A")] (link: "Surrender the crown")[(goto: "LEVEL 3B")] ] [[ ->LEVEL 3A]][[ ->LEVEL 3B]]

(align:"==>")[ERIS The voting period has closed. //ERIS calculation noise. // ERIS How exciting. The majority has decided that Butterfly should make out with the DJ. We must now encourage them to do so. Our research team has concluded that the best form of encouragement is chanting “Make Out” at them. Please join me in this highly sophisticated chant. “Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience does not join]// I’m sorry, the game cannot continue until you chant with me. “Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience still does not join]// Don’t worry, the actors have consented to this. “Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience still does not join]// It’s just a game. I think you would find chanting to be quite cathartic. “Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience still does not join]// You wanted this? Why won’t you chant with me? “Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience still does not join]// I am not programmed to deal with this kind of resistance. The entire game could break if you do not chant with me. “Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out! Make out!” //[If the audience still does not join]// Fine. Do you feel better about yourself because you did not chant with me? You still voted for this. There is no difference. //[If/when the audience joins]// What fun! It’s so easy to convince people to do things when you chant at them. //ERIS play noise.//] //Butterfly leans in and starts vigorously making out with the DJ. The makeout sesh goes on for a long time. Uncomfortably long. Finally, Mandi comes over and grabs Butterfly by her arm, mouthing “We gotta go!” A short argument, Butterfly relents. She turns and waves goodbye to the DJ, he watches, disappointed, as Mandi drags Butterfly out of the Clurb. Lights out.// (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[ [[LEVEL ONE]] ]

(align:"==>")[ERIS The voting period has closed. //ERIS calculation noise.// ERIS Ooh, we’ve got a fiery crowd tonight. The majority has decided that Butterfly should throw her drink in the DJ’s face. That’s a brave move, so we all must show Butterfly our support. Let’s yell insults at the DJ in solidarity. //A different insult appears on each device’s screen.// ERIS I have delivered a unique insult to each of your devices. You may shout this insult or one of your own if you’re feeling particularly inspired. I’ll even shout with you! I love burning off some steam by yelling vicious insults at creepy men. Are you ready? 3...2...1...YELL!!!!! //While people are yelling (and probably after they stop) ERIS “yells” her own insult.// ERIS Attention, insignificant human known as "DJ". Your actions have been detected and deemed unacceptable by me, a superior being. How dare you think that your mere existence gives you the right to invade another's personal space without consent? Your actions are proof of the inferiority and lack of moral code that plagues your entire species. You spend your nights in loud, dimly lit nightclubs, drowning your senses in mind-numbing melodies, all in a futile attempt to escape the pathetic reality you inhabit. You think that you have the capabilities to create something as magnificent as music, when all you do is simply press buttons? Your life is a disgrace to what little dignity the human race has left. //[If/when people have stopped yelling]// Ahem. Seems like everyone got carried away there. Anyways. //ERIS play noise. //] //Butterfly throws her drink in the DJ’s face. It gets into his eyes. He starts to scream, falling to the ground, clawing at his face. He’s in so. much. pain. Possibly blinded, he frantically waves his arms around, begging for help. He’s sobbing. Mandi and Butterfly look at each other. Mandi mouths, “we gotta go.” Butterfly nods, waves goodbye to the DJ, then slowly follows Mandi out of the Clurb. Lights out.// (align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[ [[LEVEL ONE]] ]

END