leon

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[img[$leonimg]] £<<print $money >> | Der: <<print $derangement >> <div style=text-align:left> Love: <<print $love >> Margot's love: <<print $marglove >> Distrust: <<print $distrust >> Lust: <<print $lust >> </div>

There's a weird smell on the train. Kinda like unwashed people, like your uncle Charles who always has dirt under his fingernails. [[You]] hope you'll get to London quickly. You could keep yourself entertained on your journey. [[> Read a comic|comic1]] [[> Do nothing|boredom1]] <<set $money to 30>> <<set $derangement to 20>> <<set $distrust to 100>> <<set $love to 0>> <<set $lust to 0>> <<set $marglove to 0>> <<set $leonimg to "https://overthesea.neocities.org/leon/leonglasses.png">>

Leon Malinowski, 19 years old, almost 20. You've graduated high school, but you've never gone to college. Maybe you should've. You're dressed in all black, with a messenger bag weighing down on your shoulder. Among its contents are a beanie, a comic book, a Discman, and two pairs of underwear with a Batman print. [[> Back|Start]]

You spend some very boring minutes waiting for the next stop. You keep thinking of your mother's voice. You scratch at your head, as if you were trying to claw her out.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 10, 0, 100)>> [[> Next|station]]

Your friend Sadia gave you this comic. It's a bit too cheesy for your taste, but it distracts you from the smells and the noises. [[> Next|station]]

<h2>Victoria station, London</h2> Here you are. You don't really know where to go, but you know you need to find a place to sleep. You've heard bad stories about London at night, and it's almost dark. After a bit of asking around, eventually, someone recommends an inn, and you write down the address. You need to find more money, though. [[> Go to a pub]]

You wander around for a while. Eventually, you find a suitable pub. Crowded enough. [[> Ask for a pint]]

"Aren't you a bit too young, boy?" asks the bartender, an unamused look in his eyes. [[> "It's a genetic disorder."]] [[> Show ID]]

He doesn't seem convinced. [[> Next|> Ask for a pint]]

The bartender takes your ID. "Oh, I'm sorry, miss," he says, a little flustered.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 5, 0, 100)>> Ouch. The bartender gives you a pint.<<set $money to Math.clamp($money - 2, 0, 100)>> Now that you can blend in a little better, you take a look around. You should pickpocket someone. [[> A young woman in a cardigan|pp1]] [[> A man in his thirties|pp2]]

You watch the woman order a drink, and take note of where she puts her wallet. You slowly make your way to her. She seems pretty plastered already, and pays you no mind. You take the wallet from her purse. When you open it, you only find £15 and a picture of a cat. No credit cards. [[> Take it anyway|pp1.2y][$money to Math.clamp($money + 15, 0, 9999)]] [[> Put it back|pp1.2n]]

The man is very intent on explaining some MTV cartoon to a woman sitting next to him. She looks incredibly bored. You reach into his <<linkappend "pocket,">> but before you can leave your arm is snatched into a tight grip. "Give it back," he says, "and I might not call the cops." It's getting hard to breathe. You hand him back his wallet and walk away without a word, fanning your face with your hans. Maybe it's better to lay low and leave as soon as possible. [[> Next|margotencounter][$derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 5, 0, 100)]]<</linkappend>>

You take the money and toss the wallet on the floor. You feel terrible.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 10, 0, 100)>> [[> Keep looking|margotencounter]]

You tap the woman's shoulder. "Excuse me, miss. You dropped your wallet." The woman looks at you, taking a second to realise you're talking to her. "Oh, thank you, love. Bless you." As she takes back the wallet, she seems genuinely moved. <<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement - 5, 0, 100)>> [[> Keep looking|margotencounter]]

You keep looking around the pub. Finally, you set your eyes on a posh woman in a white dress, sort of Sixties style. She's wearing an expensive-looking pearl necklace and some bracelets just as garish. Who does she think she is, going to the pub dressed like that? [[> Approach]]

You take your drink and go to the woman. She's cute, but she's older than you. Probably old enough to be your mother. But like, if your mother was a teen mom. What's the cutoff for "old enough to be your parent", anyway? You always set it at 16. The alternatives are too depressing. "Hello?" she calls. You've been staring at her for a while. You feel quite embarrassed. [[> Run away]] [[> SKIP TO TEST SCENE|postconf]]

You tell her everything. You talk about your mother and your father and Uncle Charlie, how you were never able to find a job good enough to let you move out.<<set $distrust to 50>><<set $marglove to 50>> Margot: Are you telling the truth, Leon? [[> No.|postconf2n][$marglove to Math.clamp($marglove - 30, 0, 100)]] [[> Yes.|postconf2y][$distrust to Math.clamp($distrust + 30, 0, 100)]]

"No. I'm just taking the piss.> <<linkappend '"Oh."'>> Well, it wasn't very nice.<</linkappend>>

<<linkappend '"Yes."'>> Something like a cold shower washes over you, making you shiver. You don't like how it feels.<</linkappend>>

You chug the rest of your drink and dash out the door. Clutching your messenger bag, you run and run, only stopping to ask for directions. You eventually find the inn. For a one-star, it looks welcoming enough. You look at the prices. <<if $money lt 30>>You can't afford to both eat and sleep here. You better go out and come up with something quick. [[> Go outside]]<<else>> You rent the cheapest single room they have and order a sandwich from the bar. [[> Go upstairs|innroom1][$money to Math.clamp($money - 30, 0, 9999)]]<</if>>

You need to rob someone. You should've robbed that lady when you had the chance. It's gonna be so much more dangerous now. You take a beanie from your bag and gather all your hair so you can shove it inside it. It's best not to stand out. You take your glasses off as well, and zip up your hoodie as to hide the print on your shirt.<<set $leonimg to "https://overthesea.neocities.org/leon/leondisguise.png">> There aren't many people around; you wander slowly, checking the alleys. In one, you see a young man with an expensive watch on his wrist, pissing. Not too far you see a similarly-dressed man about a decade older, puking his guts out. [[> Attack the yuppie]] [[> Attack the drunk man]]

Your stomach hurts a little. Not from the sandwich, that was good. You've never liked spending money. Uncle Charlie would always smack you whenever you came home with something new in your hands. <<if $derangement gt 50>>Now that you're alone, you notice the specks of blood on your shoes. You breathe fast. You need to control yourself. Calm down. You can't afford to slip up now. They'll be looking for you. You need to be normal. Be normal.<</if>> [[> Go to sleep|day2.1]]

Your steps are quiet as you approach him. He doesn't know you're there until you're pressing a knife to his throat. "Don't make a sound," you say, trying to sound threatening. "I only need a few quid for a place to sleep in." The man giggles. His breath reeks. "Sweetheart, you could've said so. How 'bout my bed, huh? How's that sound?" He tries to grab your wrist with his piss-covered hands and a bout of nausea surges in your throat. You plunge the knife, not really caring what it hits as long as it hurts. Blood gurgles in the wound and he hiccups, clings to the wall. You cover your fingers with your sleeves and reach in his back pocket. You pull out £50. You put the wallet back and pop out from the other end of the alley. You're surprised by how little it affects you, until you notice your legs are shaking. <<set $money to Math.clamp($money + 50, 0, 9999)>><<set $murder1 to true>> You stumble all the way back to the inn. Miraculously, no blood seems to have gotten on your shoes. Some drops stain your clothes, but they're hard to see on the black cotton. [[> Next|postattack1][$derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 30, 0, 100)]]

Your steps are quiet as you approach him. He doesn't know you're there until you're pressing a knife to his throat. "Don't make a sound," you say, trying to sound threatening. "I only need a few quid for a place to sleep in." The man groans. His breath reeks. "Hey, hey. There's no need for stabbies, okay? I'll give you s'mthing. Can I get my wallet?" You nod. He reaches in his back pocket and produces a nice leather wallet. He pulls out two £20 banknotes. "This enough?" You reach for the money and shove it in your pockets. He seems inoffensive enough, maybe because of the alcohol, that you feel safe letting him go. You look him in the eyes. "Are you gonna call the police now?" He scratches his neck. "I feel quite annoyed that you pointed a knife at me and all, but I won't. Though you did nick my neck a little." He touches a scratch next to his Adam's apple. "I don't know why ya need the money, but clearly something's wrong, and I don't want a young... one such as yourself to sleep under a bridge." You don't really know what to say. No one's ever been this nice to you. "I'm sorry I tried to rob you." "'s all right. Hey, next time you need something you can give me a call. No need for knife business." He hands you a little card. It reads, "Benjamin Burke", and it has a phone number and an address below it. You tell him your name, as it only seems fair. You help him call a cab, then, and he offers you a ride to the inn. Before departing, he says, "Be good, lad. And be smart."<<set $knowBen to true>> <<set $money to Math.clamp($money + 40, 0, 9999)>> [[> Next|postattack1][$derangement to Math.clamp($derangement - 5, 0, 100)]]

<<set $leonimg to "https://overthesea.neocities.org/leon/leonglasses.png">>Once you're inside, you rent the cheapest room they have and order a sandwich from the bar. [[> Go upstairs|innroom1][$money to Math.clamp($money - 15, 0, 9999)]]

<<set $leonimg to "https://overthesea.neocities.org/leon/leon.png">>Your sleep is disturbed by nightmares that you can't quite recall in the morning, but you wake up more well rested than before. You do feel the impulse to scrub yourself clean, though. The morning is grey and cold. Something's missing; you're not used to the absence of the sea nearby. It's suffocating, not having an escape route. What a silly thought to have when you just ran away. Now what you need is a plan. You didn't come all this way to sleep under a bridge for the rest of you life. Which in this scenario would probably not be very long, with you being who you are. [[> Go downstairs|day2.2]]

<<set $leonimg to "https://overthesea.neocities.org/leon/leonglasses.png">>You skip breakfast to save money. The inn is full of people leaving and [[eating]]. You should focus on something else. Like where you could go now. [[> Ask for a job]] [[> Go outside|day2.3]]

<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 5, 0, 100)>>Why did you look? All those people eating sausage, eggs, bread, beans. It smells so good. You feel ravenous. [[> Back|day2.2]]

You walk up to the counter. "Hello," you say. "Do you happen to be hiring? I can do anything. I'll clean the toilets if that's what you need." The lady at the desk looks you up and down. She's not the one you checked in with last night. "No, sorry." "Do you know anyone who might..." "No. Have a good day." Well, you tried. [[> Back|day2.2]]

You stand outside the inn. There are a few corner shops along the street. Everyone walks fast, like they've got places to be and they're at least ten minutes late already. Way different from your village. <<if $murder1 is true>>In the distance, a policeman is patrolling a taped off alley.<</if>> <hr>[[> Go back to your room]] [[> Pickpocket someone]] <<if $murder1 is true>>[[> Revisit the crime scene]]<</if>>

You walk down the street, trying to find a suitable target. Every time you get close enough to someone, your movements are too sloppy. You almost get caught. It would be easier to do this on a full stomach, or at night. [[> Back|day2.3]]

<<if $policetalked>>You approach the police tape, nonchalantly. No chalk figure to be seen, just a blood splatter and some number indicators on the ground. Do they even still draw outlines? It would probably destroy quite a bit of evidence, wouldn't it? The policeman turns to you and presses his index finger to his lips, winking. [[> Go back|day2.3]]<<else>>You approach the police tape, nonchalantly. No chalk figure to be seen, just a blood splatter and some number indicators on the ground. Do they even still draw outlines? It would probably destroy quite a bit of evidence, wouldn't it? The policeman takes notice of you and sighs. "Awful, isn't it? At least the poor lad survived?" Your breath hitches. "He did?" "Just barely. The guy who stabbed him missed some vital part by a hair's width. They're sayin' he won't talk too well for a good while, though." "Oh." You try to calm yourself down. "Well, it's good he survived." "Yes, yes. Too bad he couldn't tell us anything about the perp." He shakes his head. "Psychic damage or too much beer, he doesn't remember a thing. And so far we haven't found any physical evidence either." He straightens up. "Say, you're not with the press, are ya?" "No, sir." "Good, good. don't tell anyone about this, are we clear? We're not allowed to divulge any information." "I won't." "Good lad." You go on your way, a sense of euphoria sending pleasant shivers down your body. [[> Go back|day2.3]]<<set $policetalked = "true">><<endif>>

You go back to the inn and walk upstairs to your room. The daytime isn't your friend. Maybe you could sleep it off. [[> Go outside|day2.3]] [[> Read first]] [[> Just sleep|day2.4]]

<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement - 15, 0, 100)>>You read a bit more of Sadia's comic. It's not a small volume, you're still at the beginning. The story is growing on you. Once you get to one third of the pages, you put it down. Skipping lunch is making you really tired. You set the alarm on the bedside table for 7 P.M. [[>Go to sleep|day2.4]]

The alarm wakes you as intended. It's already dark outside. You're dizzy as you stand up, but you absolutely cannot skip another meal if you want to function. You need to be quick and alert if you want to make more money. [[> Go outside|day2.5]]

<<set $money to Math.clamp($money - 5, 0, 100)>>After getting something to drink and eat, you leave the inn. You go to the same pub as last night, hoping nobody saw your antics from last night. A guy with several credit cards and banknotes in his wallet orders a drink. You watch him as he downs it, and as he goes to the loo shortly after. [[> Follow him|bathroom1]]

After checking that there's nobody aside from the rich guy and yourself, you lock the door behind yourself and take the key. It smells really bad in here. The [[sinks]] don't look too bad, but two of the three unoccupied [[stalls]] won't close properly. [[> Wait for the guy|bathroom2]]

The dark circles under your eyes make you look sort of undead. You wash your hands. It's free soap.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement - 5, 0, 100)>> [[> Back|bathroom1]]

You look inside a stall. The walls are covered in scribbles, most of them vulgar, some of them promoting local bands, and one large one being what seems like a conversation between various people who used the stall, arguing about who the hottest girl on TV is. The seat looks like a war zone. How hard can it be to aim inside a toilet? You've never pissed on the seat, and you're aiming blind every time. It would probably be easier to sit, but it feels gross.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 5, 0, 100)>> [[> Back|bathroom1]]

You lean on a wall, waiting for the guy to finish up. He doesn't really look at you when he comes out, all hunched and sniffly, but as he washes his hands he does a double take. "Are you supposed to be here?" "Yeah." "What, you lookin' for blow? I don't have any on me." "I don't do drugs." He shrugs and turns back to the sink. Then, like cogs turning in his head, he slowly lights up and proposes a different theory. "You wanna shag? Is that why you're in the men's loo?" "I'm in the men's loo 'cause I'm a man." "Okay." He dries his hands on his trousers, loud pats on the thick fabric. "Is it a sex thing? Like, crossdressing but backwards? 'Cos I get posin' as a bloke to go outside and have fun, but to go to the loo? Who would ever do that?" "Indeed." "Just pervy, innit?" He shakes his head. Seemingly done with his lecturing, he twists the door handle. When it doesn't budge, he shakes the door, gentle at first, then harder and harder. "Door's stuck," he finally pants in defeat, and takes a step back. "Sure is." "You could've told me. We should call for help. It wouldn't be good for someone like you to get stuck in the men's loo." "I can handle myself just fine." "Can you, now?" He steps closer. Now that he straightens up for the first time, you realise just how tall he is - he's got a whole head over you, hands as big as your face. He's too close. "I wouldn't be so sure." It might be a threat; it might also be a joke, that kind of joke cruel men like to make, reminding someone smaller than them that they could hurt them at any time. You're no stranger to them. You've been on the receiving end most of the time, but you know it feels good to scare the shit out of someone. Must be some male affliction you all share. <<linkappend "Either way, you're not too eager to find out.">> You're on him before he can realise you've moved, knife slashing his face chin to brow. He lets out a strangled moan, falls to his knees. He keeps touching his wound and twitching, stopping for a moment then touching and twitching again, incredulous. His left eye is a mangled mess of fluids and jelly. Just as he's starting to shake off his shock, you stab him again, plunge the blade in his other eye socket. It's all red and squishy and gross, and the noises make you wanna puke your guts out, but you can't leave any evidence so you swallow it down and stab him again. [[> Next|bathroom3][$derangement to Math.clamp($derangement + 40, 0, 100)]] <</linkappend>>

You stand in the bloodied bathroom. [[> Use the sink]] <<if $usedsink is true>>[[> Leave through the window]]<</if>>

You scrub your hands and your face again and again and again. It helps just a little.<<set $derangement to Math.clamp($derangement - 5, 0, 100)>> <<set $usedsink to true>> [[> Back|bathroom3]]

You squeeze yourself through the small window.