The Great Northwest Baking Show

note_player_names:"Change the names below to match the names of the people playing each of the characters." player.comedian:"Comedian Blaire" player.partygoer:"Partygoer Myjah" player.youtuber:"YouTuber Aileen" player.creative:"Creative Ashley" player.technical:"Technical Andy" player.dp:"Director Goody" note_customization:"Feel free to change the names below if you want to customize your game. Note that these names also appear in the character profile packets. If you alter these names, make sure to also update them in the character packets." title.youtuber_youtube:"2Sweet2Beat" title.dp_movie:"The Longest Goodnight" npc.comedian_sponsor:"Graham" npc.youtuber_agent:"Ken W" npc.partygoer_admissions:"Daniel French" npc.dp_producer:"Arnie Lorensson" note_passwords:"You can change the passwords that unlock each portion of the game if you wish." passwords.round1:"BananaBread" passwords.round2:"VictoriaSponge" passwords.freeplay:"PerfectMirrorGlaze" note_variables:"These are gameplay-critical variables that must be set at the start of each game. You should not need to edit these variables." passwords.used.round1:false passwords.used.round2:false keys.wardrobe:false keys.weapon:false keys.glovebox:false keys.sd_card:false keys.sd_card_reader:false keys.laptop:false -- {embed passage:'Welcome'}

config.header.left: "The Gardens" -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} You're standing in the center of the baking tent. This is where the magic happens. The tent is pitched in the center of Thornewood Castle's luxurious gardens, and the scent on the air is a heady concoction of summer flowers, cut grass, and yesterday's practice bakes. The bulk of the tent is dedicated to the various contestants' prep stations. Each pastel-colored station is its own miniature kitchen, complete with stovetop, oven, stand mixer, and enough drawers of ingredients and baking pans to bake for a king's birthday party. Although there are thirteen stations in total, only two are stocked and prepared for the finale, [[{player.technical}'s station->Technical's Station]], and [[{player.creative}'s messy station->Creative's Station]], which looks like it has been the victim of a minor cake explosion. Beyond the main tent is a [[smaller judges' tent->Judges' Tent]], where Paul and {player.comedian} are usually filmed deliberating over who to declare Star Baker and who to send home. You spot a in the side of the manor that will take you back into the [[manor's west wing->The Castle Foyer]]. The [[entrance to the manor grounds->The Grounds]] lies at the edge of the garden.

config.header.left:"The Manor" -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} You find yourself standing in the foyer of the west wing of Thornewood Castle. The show's crew has rented out this wing for the whole summer for use during production. A long corridor stretches out in front of you. To the left is a [[large sitting room->The Sitting Room]] that has been converted into the production headquarters for the duration of this summer's shoot. Just behind it is the door to the wing's [[guest bathroom->Bathroom: Antechamber]]. On the right are a series of bedrooms that are used as dressing rooms for the judges and hosts. You can see dressing rooms labeled for [[{player.comedian}->Comedian's Dressing Room]], [[{player.youtuber}->Youtuber's Dressing Room]], and [[Paul Holyroot->Paul's Dressing Room]], in that order. You know that Paul's body was discovered in his dressing room late last night. At the end of the corridor is a small door leading out to [[the gardens behind the manor->The Tent]]. Behind you is the front door of the west wing, through which you can [[step back outside->The Grounds]] if you wish.

config.header.left:"The Driveway" -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} You're standing in the driveway of Thornewood Castle. The driveway is a long, well-tended gravel path that curves away from the manor and down towards the main road through a corridor of tall trees. While most of the crew is bussed in from the city before each shoot and the hosts are allowed to stay over in their private rooms in the manor, the contestants are required to drive themselves in every day. As such, there are still several cars in the driveway from yesterday, all of which have been unlocked at the request of the detectives. {player.creative}'s [[dusty blue Prius->Creative's Car]] sits in the shade of a large poplar tree. {player.technical}'s [[large silver SUV->Technical's Car]] is parked beside it. {player.partygoer}'s [[highlighter yellow convertible->Partygoer's Car]] is parked at an careless angle within prominent view of the manor. Finally, there is a [[white van->Laundry Van]] with the words Lorne's Laundry emblazoned on the side in block letters. A small service road runs off to the side and behind the manor in the direction of [[the gardens->The Dumpster]]. You can [[head back towards the manor->The Grounds]] when you're done here.

config.footer.right:"" config.footer.left:"" -- You're all out of time! Please take a moment to collect your notes, then return to the main hall to discuss what you have discovered. When you are instructed, you may [[continue your investigations->Welcome]].

turns.current (_trackTurns && passage.visits==1): turns.current+1 _timeUp: _trackTurns && turns.current > turns.max config.body.transition.name (_timeUp): "none" -- {embed passage:'Show Turns'} [if _timeUp] [JavaScript] window.setTimeout(() => go('Time Up'), 1); [continue]

inviteCode:"" -- Please enter your invitation code below: {text input for: 'inviteCode', required:true} [[Submit->Validate Invite Code]]

freeplay:inviteCode === passwords.freeplay _round1:inviteCode === passwords.round1 _round2:inviteCode === passwords.round2 _round1_reused:passwords.used.round1 && _round1 _round2_reused:passwords.used.round2 && _round2 _error_reused:_round1_reused || _round2_reused _error_no_password:!(freeplay || _round1 || _round2) passwords.used.round1:passwords.used.round1 || _round1 passwords.used.round2:passwords.used.round2 || _round2 turns.max (freeplay):0 -- [if _error_reused] You have already used this invite code. Would you like to [[try again->Invite Code]]? [continue] [if _error_no_password] Unfortunately, this is not a valid invite code. Would you like to [[try again->Invite Code]]? [continue] [if !(_error_reused || _error_no_password)] Invite code accepted! Welcome to the Great Northwest Baking Show. [[You may now enter the grounds of Thornewood Castle->The Grounds]]. [continue]

config.header.left:"The Manor Grounds" config.footer.right:"[[Out of Time?->Verify Time Up]]" config.footer.left: "[[Return to Entrance->The Grounds]]" -- {embed passage:'Show Turns'} In front of you is the [[entrance to the west wing of Thornewood Castle->The Castle Foyer]], which has been rented out by the production crew of the Great Northwest Baking Show for the duration of filming this summer. The building is hardly a castle at all; a wealthy American financier had an English manor house dismantled and paintstakingly reconstructed brick by brick in the 1800s. The victim's body was found in his personal dressing room inside the manor, so it definitely warrants further investigation. To your right are the sprawling manor gardens, in the middle of which is pitched [[the baking tent->The Tent]] that has been the main venue for this season's competition. It would normally be bustling with activity as production assistants prep for this morning's finale competition, but now it stands silent, the cloth covering fluttering gently in the breeze. Behind you is the [[long driveway up to Thornewood Castle->The Driveway]], along which several cars are parked from the night before. These cars each belong to a suspect in the case, and their contents could crack this case wide open.

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The sitting room has been so thoroughly converted by the show's production staff as to be almost unrecognizable. Most of the plush armchairs and dainty side tables that would normally fill this room have been hauled out, replaced with plastic banquet tables and other cheaper, more function-forward pieces of furniture. Half of the room has been converted into a [[makeshift editing bay->The Editing Suite]] where {player.dp} can review the footage captured each day and begin assembling a rough cut of the next episode. This area is surrounded by heavy curtains that hang from a loose metal scaffold, presumably to help block some of the light from the large windows that look from the sitting room into the garden beyond. Three [[long plastic banquet tables->The Sitting Room: Craft Services]] are arranged end-to-end along the sitting room's back wall. This is where craft services tends to serve food for the shoot, and a few boxes of snacks and hot drink dispeners are still laid out for whoever was on-site over the weekend. There is also a [[small break area->The Sitting Room: Sitting Area]] over by the fireplace, where several surviving armchairs are arranged in a semicircle around a small coffee table. [[Head back into the hallway.->The Castle Foyer]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.comedian}'s dressing room is normally rented out as a bedroom known as 'The Study', and it's not hard to see why. The entire back wall of the room is taken up by a [[massive bookshelf->Comedian's Dressing Room: Book Shelf]]. Set into the bottom of the bookshelf are [[a number of cupboards->Comedian's Dressing Room: Safe]]. Playing cards are scattered across [[the small reading table->Comedian's Dressing Room: Reading Table]] on one side of the room. Two high-backed armchairs flank the table on either side. In the corner next to the table, you spy a [[freestanding punching bag->Comedian's Dressing Room: Punching Bag]]. A [[king-sized bed->Comedian's Dressing Room: Bed]] is positioned along the window on the other side of the room. [[Head back into the hallway.->The Castle Foyer]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} As the least famous member of the Baking Show's core cast this season, {player.youtuber} has been given the smallest bedroom to use as their dressing room. One wall is mostly taken up by a large bay window, through which the baking tent can be seen fluttering gently in the manor's expansive garden. The other wall is taken up by a [[collection of posters, photographs, and framed magazines->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Posters]], most of which seem to feature {player.youtuber}. The majority of the room is taken up by a [[queen bed->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Bed]] bedecked in colorful sheets and piled high with all sorts of stuffed animals. In the corner of the room is a small writing desk, upon which you can see a [[laptop computer->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Laptop]]. [[Head back into the hallway.->The Castle Foyer]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} As the star power behind the Great Northwest Baking Show, the production crew have given Paul the largest dressing room. Paul has made himself at home over the summer-long shoot, and all four walls are covered in [[racing memorabilia->Paul's Dressing Room: Memorabilia]] celebrating his latest hobby: competitive motorsports. There is a [[large writing desk->Paul's Dressing Room: Desk]] pushed against one wall of the bedroom. Paul has turned this desk into his personal [[racing arcade->Paul's Dressing Room: Arcade]], kitting it out with several large monitors, a large set of desktop speakers, and a full USB steering wheel setup. Unfortunately for Paul, this desk also appears to be where he drew his last breath. [[Paul's body->Paul's Dressing Room: Body]] is slumped face-down onto the desk, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle and his face mashed into the keys of the laptop keyboard that powers his racing setup. The other side of the room is a more conventional bedroom, used by Paul to spare him from commuting early in the morning before shooting days. A free-standing [[oak wardrobe->Paul's Dressing Room: Wardrobe]] sits alongside the [[large four-poster bed->Paul's Dressing Room: Bed]] that takes up much of this side of the room. [[Head back into the hallway.->The Castle Foyer]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} A pile of magazines is stacked neatly on top of the end table. The cover story of each one has something to do with the Baking Show -- clearly they were picked out by the production staff to serve as reading material for guests visiting the set. You remember seeing the top magazine in stores. [[Its cover story was the first to announce Great Northwest Baking Show to the world.->Magazine: Announcing GNBS]] The second magazine's cover story is [[a long interview Paul Holyroot, although it appears to be a few years out of date->Magazine: Paul's Profile]]. The last magazine is [[a profile of {player.comedian}->Magazine: Comedian's Rehab]], a popular comedian who was picked to host the GNBS after spending a few years out of the public eye. [[Investigate the rest of the judge's tent.->Judges' Tent]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The article is mostly a puff piece focused on introducing the new hosting crew. "I'm a huge fan," {player.youtuber} is quoted as saying. "As someone who grew up watching the Baking Show, getting to work with Paul is a dream come true." [[Return your attention to the other magazines.->Magazine Table]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The article reads more like a PR announcement than hard-hitting investigative journalism. After a viral video of them getting into a fight at a club forced them to admit to a lifelong struggle with alcohol and cocaine abuse, {player.comedian} released a public apology and entered one of the fancier rehab clinics in the LA area. Now after a requisite two years out of the spotlight, {player.comedian} is back and ready to rebrand themselves with a friendlier and more approachable image hosting the Great Northwest Baking Show. [[Return your attention to the other magazines.->Magazine Table]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The interview is pretty surface level -- mostly biographical, it covers Paul's history as head baker for various hotels and resorts, then moves onto Paul's career as a TV host. The magazine is a few years old, and so Paul spends most of his time promoting Kitchen Cabinet, his business investment show that ran for two seasons back in 2015. Most of the article's photos also appear to be [[shots from that ill-fated show->Photo: Kitchen Cabinet]], but there is also one of [[Paul smiling with his family->Photo: Paul's Family]]. [[Return your attention to the other magazines.->Magazine Table]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} In the largest photo, Paul is seen inspecting a large, countertop kitchen gadget. The caption reads: *** _Paul inspects the BakeBuddy 2000. While three of the other judges chose to invest in the BakeBuddy, Paul remained unconvinced, and its inventor went home empty-handed._ *** [[Continue reading the profile.->Magazine: Paul's Profile]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.technical}'s station is all tidied and ready for what should have been a big day tomorrow. The counter is wiped clean, the stand mixer is prepped and ready to rock, and all the various baking trays and utensils have been put away in [[their various drawers->Technical's Station: Drawers]]. Placed neatly in the center of the counter is a manilla folder filled with [[printouts of different recipes->Technical's Station: Recipes]]. When you finish here, you [[continue investigating the rest of the tent->The Tent]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.creative}'s station is a mess. It looks like they were halfway through a bake when a tornado came through the tent. Dirty baking trays are strewn across the countertop, ingredient jars are toppled over, and the bake itself -- some kind of multi-tiered concoction that may once have resembled the Space Needle -- is [[splattered across the floor->Creative's Station: Bake]] beside the station itself. Various spilled ingredients have run down the front of the station, and splattered all over the oven door, [[utensil drawers->Creative's Station: Drawers]], and tea towels. The towels look particularly worse for wear, as several [[large, dark red stains->Creative's Station: Stains]] have soaked into the fabric. On the corner of the counter is a [[small clothbound notebook->Creative's Station: Notebook]] which, apart from a minor dusting of flour, appears to have escaped bulk of the destruction. When you finish here, you [[continue investigating the rest of the tent->The Tent]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The judge's tent is signicantly smaller than the main tent, but a lot more comfortable. Although it is used for filming occasional segments of the judge's deliberating the results of each round of baking, it primarily serves as a quiet, shady place for the judges to relax while the contestants are working. There are several high-backed wicker armchairs arranged around a high table. It would be quite a serene place to while away a summer day, if it weren't covered in a [[pile of empty pizza boxes, open wine bottles, and discarded beer cans->Judges' Tent: Trash]]. There is a [[small magazine table->Magazine Table]] in one corner of the tent, upon which some industrious PA has arranged an assortment of publications related to the Baking Show and its stars. You have a good view of the back of Thornewood Castle through the flap in the tent. The architectural majesty of the manor is only slightly diminished by the [[large industrial dumpster->The Dumpster]] that the production crew has placed alongside it. [[The main baking tent->The Tent]] flaps gently in the breeze behind you.

config.header.left: "The Gardens" -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} A large industrial dumpster sits alongside the back wall of Thornewood Manor. Although the crew try to make sure that none of the food made on the Baking Show goes to waste, there are still a lot of spilled, spoiled, and otherwise unusable ingredients that have to be disposed of during the course of production. All of that waste goes into this dumpster to be collected once a week by a specially arranged garbage truck from the city. [unless keys.weapon] If you lift up the flap of the dumpster, you could just about [[stick your head in->Dumpster: Interior]]. [else] _On the ground is a [[rolling pin wrapped in a green floral apron->Dumpster: Weapon]] that you pulled out of the dumpster._ [continue] A small service path runs along the edge of the manor and back towards [[the driveway->The Driveway]]. From here you have a good view of the gardens, including [[the judges' tent->Judges' Tent]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The inside of {player.creative}'s car is as colorful as their bakes. Hand-made yarn decorations hang from the rearview mirror and the dashboard is covered with bootleg stickers featuring famous cartoon characters dressed as bakers. The passenger seat is littered with a pile of [[paperback novels->Creative's Car: Paperbacks]], some of which have spilled off the seat and down into the footwell. The backseat is occupied by a number of [[tote bags->Creative's Car: Tote Bags]] from a local cooperative grocery chain. As you look around, you notice that there are a number of [[balled-up tissues->Creative's Car: Tissues]] stuffed into the driver's side cupholder. When you're done, you open the door and [[step back out onto the driveway->The Driveway]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.technical}'s silver SUV is well-maintained and tidy inside, but the fastidious vacuuming and MIT-branded air freshener can't hide the fact that the vehicle has to be going on fifteen years old. The passenger seat is occupied by [[a cardboard box filled with various baking supplies->Technical's Car: Baking Supplies]]. Beyond the box, there's plenty of additional storage around the cab. In addition to [[the glove box->Technical's Car: Glove Box]], there's a [[center armrest->Technical's Car: Center Armrest]] with popup storage, a [[sunglasses holder->Technical's Car: Sunglasses Holder]] set into ceiling, and several [[popout cupholders->Technical's Car: Cupholders]]. Although this vehicle is technically a seven seater, the back row of seats are folded down, creating an expanded storage compartment filled with [[a pile of luggage under a nondescript blanket->Technical's Car: Trunk]]. When you're done, you open the door and [[step back out onto the driveway->The Driveway]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} A sticker on the windshield confirms of {player.partygoer}'s banana-yellow convertible that the car is a rental from the local airport, which explains its nearly spotless interior. It must have been vacuumed right before being driven off of the lot. A [[rose gold iPad->Partygoer's Car: iPad]] is tucked into the pocket of the driver's side door. You recognize it as the latest model released just a month ago. There's not much else inside the car -- there's barely enough room for the two passengers -- but there is a small button that you can press to [[pop the trunk->Partygoer's Car: Trunk]]. When you're finished, you [[keep investigating the other cars->The Driveway]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The box is filled with various exotic ingredients that {player.technical} has brought for use in their final showstopper bake. You spot chickpea flour, several bars of flavored chocolates, and a jar raw honey imported from Indonesia, along with various jars of fresh spices sealed with colorful rubber bands. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The glove box is embedded in the passenger side of the dashboard. A small silver keyhole is inset next to the handle. [if keys.glovebox] _It looks like the silver key you found might be able to [[open the glove box->Technical's Car: Glove Box (Inside)]]_ [else] You try the handle, but the glove box refuses to open. [continue] [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

_opening:false _opening (!keys.glovebox):true keys.glovebox:true -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} [if _opening] _You pop open the sunglasses holder, and a small silver key falls out of it and drops into your lap._ [else] _You open the sunglasses holder again, but there is nothing else inside it._ [continue] [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You lift up the lid of the center armrest. Inside you find a few pen packets of gum and a portable screwdriver set with interchangeable bits. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pop out the various cup holders you find in the cab: one each for the driver and passenger, and a full four for the first row of passenger seating. Although there's enough drinks storage here to keep a whole varsity dodgeball team hydrated, you find nothing more than a used gum wrapper and a handful of quarters between them. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pull back the blanket to reveal a stack of shrink-wrapped boxes that fills the entire trunk of the SUV. Each box is emblazened with the words ~~BakeBuddy 9000~ and features a photo of a device that resembles a bright white pressure cooker. The back of the box claims that the BakeBuddy is capable of making a Michelin-starred _patissier_ out of even the most inexperienced baker. It boasts distinct mixing, whipping, baking, and icing modes, and boasts that it can produce a full tray of macarons in just 30 minutes with the optional layering attachment. There's easily thirty BakeBuddy boxes back here. While they're all individually shrink-wrapped, you could always [[take a peek->Technical's Car: BakeBuddy]] inside one of the boxes if you want. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} With up to thirteen bakers cooking at once, the Baking Show goes through an absolutely obscene number of aprons, oven gloves, and dish towels. The production staff has hired a local laundry company to ensure that they always have a fresh supply of sundries to keep everyone looking bright and clean for the cameras. Both the [[door to the cab->Laundry Van: Cab]] and the [[rear double-doors->Laundry Van: Trunk]] are unlocked. You can also [[go investigate the other cars->The Driveway]] instead.

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This wing is usually booked out by wealthy technocrats looking to vacation outside of the city with their families, and every surface has been done out in high-quality marble, oak, and polished bronze. In order to better serve multiple people at once, the bathroom has been divided into two parts with a locking door between them. This side forms a kind of antechamber where people can wash their hands and brush their teeth at the [[his-and-hers sinks->Bathroom: Counter]] without disturbing whoever is using the actual facilities. Through the open doorway, you spy the [[bathtub and toilet->Bathroom: Interior]]. [[Head back to the hallway.->The Castle Foyer]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You find the usual suspects stacked up inside the glove box -- the car's registration info, receipts for various repairs, a couple old CD jewel cases, and the vehicle's owner's manual. Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary at first glance. However, you notice a small corner of paper sticking out the side of the owner's manual. Opening it up, you find a signed check from Paul Holyroot's own checkbook. The date is listed as yesterday, and the amount is no less than $100,000. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The paperbacks all appear to be cheap airport mystery novels, with titles like _My Mother's a Murderer_, _Cross Your Heart And Hope to Die_, and _A Bad Case of Dead_. Even from the outside, it's clear that each book is heavily dog-eared and stained with highlighter ink. If you want, you can [[study the annotations->Creative's Car: Paperbacks (Detail)]] to see if there are any patterns in how each book has been marked up. [[Keep investigating the rest of the car.->Creative's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You rifle through the bags. They contain a couple of carefully folded, color-coordinated baker's outfits, complete with apron and muffin-topped baker's hats. There's a set with yellow polka dots, a navy blue set covered in tiny white stars, and a set marked with white-and-red candy cane stripes. Unfortunately for {player.creative}, they would never have been able to wear any of these on the Baking Show. The production staff insist on dressing all the contestants in the same uniform tan aprons to keep things consistent. [[Keep investigating the rest of the car.->Creative's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You carefully unball each of the tissues, but they seem to just be regular tissues, stuck together with dried tears and some congealed snot. Yuck. [[Keep investigating the rest of the car.->Creative's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.creative} has clearly spent a lot of time studying each of these books and marking them up in detail. As you compare each of the books, it becomes clear that {player.creative} is most interested in the details of the murders in each book. Most of the annotations are focused around the moments where the body is first discovered and the inevitable sequence at the end of each book where the detective explains how the killer did it. Although there's barely any margins to speak of in these cramped paperback editions, they've even managed to pencil in some their own thoughts along the edges of each page. Most of these thoughts seem to be about the fatal mistake that each killer made that allowed the detective to find them out, and some go so far as to plot out alernate scenarios where the killer manages to convincingly frame someone else for the murder. [[Keep investigating the rest of the car.->Creative's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Lorne clearly runs a tight ship. Apart from a laminated and up-to-date business license prominently displayed on the dashboard, nothing about the van's cab catches your eye. Everything is uncluttered and fastidiously clean -- which you suppose you'd want from a laundry service. [[Investigating the rest of the van.->Laundry Van]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The back of the van is filled with the largest laundry hamper you've ever set eyes on. Leaning over the edge of the hamper, you see that it's about half-full already with a pile of aprons, towels, and oven gloves splattered and dusted with various types of flours, jams, and creams. Nothing about these articles catches your eye, perhaps intentionally, as they're all colored in the Baking Show's signature muted tan, which was intentionally chosen so as to not distract from the bakes themselves. You can always [[dig around in the hamper->Laundry Van: Hamper]] if you want to look closer, though. [[Investigating the rest of the van.->Laundry Van]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pick one of the BakeBuddy boxes at random to open. You slide a fingernail down along the edge to rip open the shrink wrap, then flip open the cardboard tab that keeps the lid of the box shut securely to begin your own private unboxing party. Inside, you find a warranty card, operating manual, and the BakeBuddy itself, all wrapped up in bubble wrap. Despite the substantial construction of the BakeBuddy itself (it easily weighs at least fifteen pounds), the packaging feels oddly ramshackle, as if {player.technical} had packed each BakeBuddy themselves. Sadly, you do not find the optional layering attachment. Rip off. [[Keep investigating the rest of the SUV.->Technical's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You stuff your arms deep into the hamper and begin to sift through the various articles of laundry. Almost immediately, you uncover something that doesn't match the rest of the laundry: a muffin-topped baker's hat in a light-green floral print. A sticky, dark red stain on the brim catches your eye as you unfold the hat. However, a quick sniff test reveals that this stain is not blood; rather, it is an ample quantity of raspberry jam. [[Investigating the rest of the van.->Laundry Van]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Nestled in the corner of the article is a photo of Paul at a table in some idyllic seaside villa on the Mediterranean coast. His hand is resting on the leg of the woman sitting next to him, and they're both smiling at the camera. A pouty-faced teen sits opposite them, staunchly refusing to meet the camera's gaze. The photo is captioned: *** ~~Holyroot Love Story?~~ _Paul and Alex Holyroot celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary on a family vacation to Sardinia with {player.partygoer}, Alex's child from her previous marriage._ *** [[Continue reading the profile.->Magazine: Paul's Profile]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pinch your nostrils closed and lift up the lid of the basket. Your eyes confirm what your nose was already telling you. The pile of used hand towels inside has been soaked in an honestly impressive amount of human vomit. Leaning in closer (and against your better judgment), you determine that the deluge was comprised mostly of thin bile and contains very little actual food content. The top towel appears to have had the mess soak into it from the bottom-up rather than splattered down from above. With great relief, you close the lid and [[examine the rest of the countertop.->Bathroom: Counter]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} A terrible smell assails your nostrils as you step over towards the marble countertop that houses the sinks. It doesn't take long to locate the source: [[a lidded wicker basket->Bathroom: Wicker Basket]] pushed back under the countertop. Apart from that one concession to practicality, the rest of this side of the bathroom appears to be devoted to aesthetic minimalism. Apart from a small pile of folded white hand towels placed neatly between the sinks, the counter is completely bare -- even the soap dispensers are built right into the marble. You're left with little to investigate other than the [[large, bronze-rimmed mirror->Bathroom: Mirror]] and the [[sinks themselves->Bathroom: Sinks]]. [[Explore the rest of the bathroom.->Bathroom: Antechamber]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This side of the bathroom is definitely more geared more towards practicality than aesthetics. In contrast to the spare minimalism of the antechamber, this side is crowded with concessions to the crass necessities of the human body. Almost half the room is taken up by a [[massive claw-footed bathtub->Bathroom: Bathtub]]. The toilet itself is unremarkable, but next to it is an additional sink is set into the top of an [[oak bathroom cabinet->Bathroom: Cabinet]]. [[Step back through the door to the antechamber.->Bathroom: Antechamber]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Hey there, good lookin'! The lighting in this bathroom is very flattering, and you take a moment to admire yourself in the mirror. Apart from a couple of toothpaste splatters towards the bottom, the mirror is utterly spotless. The housekeeping is clearly on top of their game here. [[Keep examining the countertop.->Bathroom: Counter]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The sinks have been meticulously cut out of the larger marble countertop, and you have to take a moment to admire the workmanship that went into creating them. You examine each sink carefully, even running a finger around their edges to try and pick up any odd stains or residues, but as far as you can tell they're both spotless. You turn your attention to the hand towels piled neatly between the sinks, but this also proves to be fruitless. Each towel is perfectly white and unblemished. [[Keep examining the countertop.->Bathroom: Counter]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The tub itself appears to be an antique, but one that's been well taken care of over the years. It's also absolutely massive. You're certain you could lay your whole body down in it with inches to spare. They don't make bathtubs like this anymore. The tub is quite clean, but a little damp. It hasn't fully dried off since the last time the bath was run. [[Explore the rest of the bathroom.->Bathroom: Interior]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You rifle through the bathroom cabinet. It's all unremarkable stuff, and clearly meant more for the manor's staff than the guests. You pull out various cleaning products and sponges, a toilet brush, a small plunger, some rubber gloves, a bottle of drain cleaner, and a [[small zip-up first aid kit->Bathroom: First Aid Kit]]. [[Continue investigating the bathroom.->Bathroom: Interior]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You unzip the first aid kit and start pulling things out of it. At first, nothing catches your eye -- there are band-aids in various sizes, some gauze, a tube of anti-septic paste, a bottle of antacids -- nothing to cause alarm of arouse suspicion. Nestled at the very bottom of the kit, you find an [[unlabeled green pill bottle->Bathroom: Pill Bottle]]. [[Go back to investigating the bathroom.->Bathroom: Interior]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pop the top off of the pill bottle and tip the contents into your hand. Three dusty white pills fall out into your palm, each of which is stamped with a crude image in silhouette. The pills have begun to crumble away in the bottle, making it hard to identify the image with any confidence. If you had to guess, though, it looks sort of like a horse's head in silhouette. [[Investigate the rest of the bathroom.->Bathroom: Interior]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You tug the greasy paper bag out from its hiding place and unfurl it. It smells strongly of fries and chicken nuggets, but its contents feel hard and round, and it rattles as you move it. You open the bag up and take out several unlabeled green pill bottles. You pop the tops off of each in turn and pour the contents into your hands. Each bottle contains the same thing: a number of round white pills with ~~ASPIRIN~~ stamped in a ring around the edge. [[Keep examining the trunk.->Partygoer's Car: Trunk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You press the power button on the top of the iPad, and its home screen blinks into existence without prompting for a password. Apparently {player.partygoer} has a thing or two to learn about digital security. A few apps are arranged prominently on the home screen: > [[Messages->Partygoer's Car: Messages]] > [[Email->Partygoer's Car: Email]] > [[Banking->Partygoer's Car: Banking]] > [[Web Browser->Partygoer's Car: Web Browser]] [[Put down the iPad.->Partygoer's Car]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} If you thought the cab of {player.partygoer}'s convertible was small, the trunk is even smaller. The small, gold-trimmed [[rolling suitcase->Partygoer's Car: Suitcase]] squeezed inside spans almost its entire width, although you also see what looks like the corner of a [[greasy fast food bag->Partygoer's Car: Burger Bag]] poking out from around the side of the suitcase. [[Investigate the rest of the convertible.->Partygoer's Car]].

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You unzip the suitcase and begin to pick through its contents. It's all the kinds of things you'd expect -- a UK passport with {player.partygoer}'s name and photo, a boarding pass with the arrival date listed as yesterday morning, a few changes of clothes, a USB charger, and so on. The most unusual item is a large washbag, which contains an almost shockingly wide number and variety of cosmetic products. [[Keep examining the trunk.->Partygoer's Car: Trunk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The browser opens to a basic search engine. You tap on the search field to highlight it, and a list of recent search terms pops up. *** [align center] `divorce law child` `what does the child get in a divorce` `what is the child owed in a divorce` `parental obligation` `flights london to seattle` `inheritance law uk` [continue] *** [[Press the home button.->Partygoer's Car: iPad]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.partygoer} maintains an impressively tidy inbox. The email client only shows a few emails have been automatically tagged as high-priority. > [[[Mummy]->Partygoer's Car: Mummy Email]] > [[[USC Admissions Dept]->Partygoer's Car: USC Admissions Dept]] [[Press the home button.->Partygoer's Car: iPad]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You thumb open the banking app, and a list of accounts and credit cards appears on screen. {reveal link: "Credit cards", text: "Theres's a good eight or so credit cards listed here. They all have high spending limits, and they're all pretty much maxed out."} {reveal link: "Checking account", text: "The checking account seems to be primarily used to pay off the many credit cards. The only incoming payments appear to be transfers from an account listed as ~~PH HOLDINGS~~ that are deposited semi-regularly every six weeks or so. You notice that the last deposit was more than two months ago."} {reveal link: "Savings account", text: "The savings account is empty except for the minimum required balance."} [continue] [[Press the home button.->Partygoer's Car: iPad]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You open the messaging app. It looks like {player.partygoer} hasn't been using it for very long, as there are only a couple of conversations saved onto the device. > [[[OxfordComa]->Partygoer's Car: OxfordComa]] > [[[NoCannesDo]->Partygoer's Car: NoCannesDo]] [[Press the home button.->Partygoer's Car: iPad]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **3 days ago - 6:15 AM** [align left] You coming to the benefit tonight? [align left] Get drunk for charity [align right] I can't. Flying to the states tomorrow to see my dad [align left] omg whaaaat [align left] Lame [align right] Anyway you know I'm trying to save money [align left] SUPER LAME [align left] Whatever. See u when you get back from the US of A Holes. [align right] You know I'm gonna move there right [align left] exactly 😘 [continue] *** [[Read the other messages->Partygoer's Car: Messages]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **2 days ago - 1:15 AM** [align right] Heading to the airport now! [align left] kk [align right] You okay? [align left] eh. your dads being a prick [align left] and i got another producer email [align right] Bad news? :((( [align left] mm [align right] I'm sorry [align right] I wish we had the money to just make it ourselves [align left] ha [align right] I'm serious!! I'd give you the money if I could! [align left] yeah yeah [align left] fuck [align left] bunch of self-important assholes. it's worse than sxsw [align right] OMG!!!! [align right] we MET at sxsw!!! [align left] o [align left] right [align center] **Yesterday - 5:42 PM** [align right] I'm here!!! Come on down!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ [align left] brt [align center] **Yesterday - 11:33 PM** [align left] hey [align left] where r u? [align left] {player.partygoer}???? [align left] where the fuck are you [continue] *** [[Read the other messages->Partygoer's Car: Messages]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **5 days ago - 10:20 AM** [continue] <blockquote> Hello sunflower! Have you heard from your father recently? I know he's busy filming the new show, but I haven't heard from him in over a week. It's probably nothing. You know how I worry! But if you can get him on the line, tell him to check his bloody email and let me know that everything is alright! Lots of love, Mummy </blockquote> *** [[Return to the inbox->Partygoer's Car: Email]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **4 days ago - 3:15 PM** [continue] <blockquote> Dear {player.partygoer}: We are pleased that you will be joining us at USC to begin your Master's degree in Cinema & Media Studies at our prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. This will certainly be an exciting time for you as you prepare to begin the next step of your academic career. However, I must remind you that the tuition for your fall courseload is due on the 15th. If we do not receive your tuition payment by then, we will sadly be forced to revoke your admission to the Master's program for the fall quarter. If you need assistance managing your payments, please do reach out to our office. We encourage all students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) so you can learn about the grant, scholarship, work-study, and student and parent loan options available to you. The USC Financial Aid Office web site provides step by step application instructions and a wealth of information about programs available to our students. This year, we expect to distribute more than $130 million in financial support for more than 9,000 of our students. We hope to see you in the fall! Sincerely, {npc.partygoer_admissions} Director, Financial Aid </blockquote> *** [[Return to the inbox->Partygoer's Car: Email]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You prop open the dumpster's lid and carefully poke your head over the edge. The smell hits you like punch in the stomach. The Baking Show gets through a lot of dairy, and Washington has seen record temperatures all week. You might hope that these conditions would turn the dumpster into some form of impromptu cake oven, but alas, all the discard milk, cream, eggs, and sugar have curdled to form a smell of absolutely unspeakable proportions. It's too dark to really see anything inside the dumpster, and the way your eyes are starting to water isn't helping anything. If you pinch your nose shut, you might be able to [[get a closer look->Dumpster: Interior 2]]. If you're sensible, though, you'll probably [[close the dumpster->The Dumpster]] and take a step back.

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Your pinch your nose hard between your thumb and forefinger and lean your head further inside the dumpster. Any relief you gained from restricting the airflow to your nose is immediately counter-acted by your increased proximity to the source of the smell. The stench is all encompassing. You feel it creeping in through your mouth and probing at your eyes: sweet, stinging, and inescapable. You're blinking back tears now, but your eyes are beginning to adjust to the dark. While most of the contents of the dumpster are a thick, lumpy mess of old milk cartons and broken eggshells, your eye is caught by a small scrap of green fabric poking up from under a layer of discarded sponge cake. If you stand on your tip-toes, you might just be able to [[grab it between your fingertips->Dumpster: Interior 3]]. You could also take mercy on yourself and [[step away for some fresh air->The Dumpster]].

You swipe at the fabric scrap. Your fingertips brush against it, but it's just out of your reach. You wriggle yourself further over the lip of the dumpster and swipe again. You feel your chest slip slightly on the moist plastic edge, and suddenly you're pitching forwards, sliding head-over-heels into the dumpster's open maw. [[Oh.->Dumpster: Interior 4]]

config.header.left: "Hell" -- {reveal link: "oh no", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 1"}

{reveal link: "oh god", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 2"}

{reveal link: "The smell is everywhere", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 3"}

{reveal link: "It's in your nose", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 4"}

{reveal link: "in your eyes", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 5"}

{reveal link: "in your mouth.", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 6"}

{reveal link: "Your drag your way to the surface, coughing and heaving. A pint of yogurt slides off your head with a low sucking sound, leaving a thick trail of something green and lumpy through your hair.", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 7"}

{reveal link: "Your rub your face with your hands to try and clear the gunk from your away, but it only makes things worse. You yelp in pain as something acrid touches your eye -- _Is it old lemon juice? Stagnant milk? Industrial cleaner? Who can say?_ -- and the pain jolts you to your senses.", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 8"}

{reveal link: "You spot it", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 9"}

{reveal link: "Floating just a few feet in front of you: a small bundle of god-knows-what, wrapped in a bolt of stained, green fabric", passage: "Dumpster: Hell 10"}

{reveal link: "You grab the bundle and haul yourself up and over the edge of the dumpster.", passage: "Dumpster: Hell Final"}

keys.weapon:true -- [[You are free->Dumpster: Weapon]]

You unwrap the bundle with shaking hands. The cloth wrapping is soaked and stuck together with trash juice, but you grit your teeth and patiently unwind the bundle layer by layer. After you peel away the first few layers, the light-green fabric gives way to a deep red stain. Your heart catches in your throat, and you almost drop the bundle as you realize that the fabric wrapping is soaked in blood. You hurriedly pull away the cloth to reveal the contents of the bundle: a heavy, bloodstained wooden rolling pin. It's about fifteen inches long and has several nasty looking dents down one side. Now that you've fully unwrapped the sopping cloth from its contents, you realize that it's not just any random bolt of cloth, either: it's a baker's apron. Beneath all the blood and trash stains, you can just about make out a light-green floral print. When you're finished looking, you [[step back from the dumpster->The Dumpster]] for some fresh air.

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The walls are bedecked in mementos from Paul's burgeoning racing career. There are numerous flags and posters commemorating events and places where Paul has raced: Britcar, Le Mans, Circuit of the Americas, Silverstone. There's even what appears to be a real Aston Martin steering wheel mounted on a plaque that reads ~~Beachdeen AMR, 2015~~. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Although most of Paul's desk is taken up by his racing setup, there's still a little room left for the kinds of things you would normally expect to find on a writing desk. In the middle of the desk is are a few loose pages of [[handwritten notes->Paul's Dressing Room: Notes]]. On the edge of the desk is a [[framed photograph in a gold frame->Paul's Dressing Room: Photo]]. The subject of the photo is obscured by a several large splatterings of blood. Next to the photograph is a [[paper tea cup->Paul's Dressing Room: Teacup]]. On the other side is what looks like a leather-bound [[checkbook->Pauls' Dressing Room: Checkbook]]. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Paul's racing setup is seriously impressive. He's got three HD monitors, a full desktop audio setup with two speakers and a dedicated subwoofer, and a top of the line, force feedback-equipped USB racing wheel, all powered off of a high-end gaming laptop. It looks like Paul took his racing simulators seriously. The one thing you don't find is any headphones. Apparently Paul liked to play his games loud. You try to turn the laptop on, but it refuses to boot. The keyboard is soaked in blood, and some of it must have dripped inside and disrupted the machine's sensitive electronics. You give the laptop a gentle shake to see if that helps at all. While the computer remains committed to not turning on, you do notice a the corner of a [[piece of paper->Paul's Dressing Room: Racing Times]] sticking out from underneath it. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} It's not hard to tell what killed Paul. There appear to be several regions of severe blunt trauma around back and sides of his head. His skull looks oddly misshapen, and there are patches of deep, dark red soaking through his short-cropped silver hair. His neck is twisted at a wicked angle, and his face is mashed hard into the keyboard of his laptop. His arms hang loosely at his sides. Blood has run down his neck and soaked through his shirt, and the silence of the room is broken by the occasional sound of blood dripping softly from his fingertips onto the rug below. You carefully lift his body away from the desk and prop it upright in his chair. His neck lolls distressingly as you do so, and try not to look directly into his cold, empty eyes. You carefully pat down Paul's body, but find little else of interest. Apart from a wicked case of keyboard face, he has no other visible injuries. His wallet is still in his jeans pocket, and nothing appears to have been taken from it. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

-- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} The bed is neatly made. It doesn't appear that anyone has used it since the housekeeping came through yesterday morning. You pull the sheets off the bed and fluff the pillows experimentally, but find nothing out of the ordinary. You do find a half-empty box of condoms under the bed, however. You have to squeeze by the wardrobe several times during your examination, as there is not much room between it and the head of the bed. You notice that one of the heavy iron brackets on the corner of the wardrobe is missing a nail, leaving a small hole through to the wardrobe's interior. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The wardrobe is a gorgeous antique piece. Each side is a single slab of ancient oak, joined at the corners by heavy iron brackets afixed with large, dome-headed nails. A full-length mirror is set into the front of the [[wardrobe's door->Paul's Dressing Room: Wardrobe Interior]]. [[Investigate the rest of Paul's room.->Paul's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pull the slip of paper out from under the laptop and examine it. It contains a handwritten table of some sort: *** <blockquote> _Silverstone_ _12:10 PM -- 2:22:10_ \ _12:15 PM -- 2:20:19_ \ _12:20 PM -- 2:21:30_ \ _12:40 PM -- 2:19:14_ \ _2:25 PM -- 2:22:12_ \ _2:30 PM -- 2:23:20_ \ _2:35 PM -- 2:21:42_ \ _2:45 PM -- 2:21:31_ \ _2:50 PM -- 2:24:10_ \ _3:00 PM -- 2:19:18_ \ _3:10 PM -- 2:22:50_ \ _3:20 PM -- 2:21:14_ \ _3:25 PM -- 2:20:23_ \ _3:35 PM -- 2:20:45_ \ _3:40 PM -- 2:19:52_ \ _3:45 PM -- 2:18:17_ \ _9:15 PM -- 2:20:43_ \ _9:25 PM -- 2:19:38_ \ _9:35 PM -- 2:21:32_ \ _9:40 PM -- 2:22:18_ \ _9:50 PM -- 2:20:50_ \ _9:55 PM -- 2:21:02_ \ _10:00 PM -- 2:21:30_ \ _10:15 PM -- 2:20:12_ \ _10:20 PM -- 2:40:38_ \ _10:25 PM -- 3:21:10_ </blockquote> *** [[Keep examining Paul's gaming setup.->Paul's Dressing Room: Arcade]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You open the door to the standing wardrobe. You've never seen so many sets of collared shirts and jeans in your life. You run your fingers down the back and sides of the wardrobe. You're surprised when your fingers brush against what feels a [[small plastic box->Paul's Dressing Room: Camera]]. [[Close the door.->Paul's Dressing Room: Wardrobe]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The box is stuck to the side of the wardrobe with some kind of glue, but you wiggle it back and forth gently until it comes away into your hand. You examine the box carefully, turning it back and forth under the light. It's made of a dull gray plastic, clearly designed to be inconspicuous, but the circle lens on one side marks it unmistakably as a camera of some kind. The box's other sides are completely featureless, and there are no visible controls anywhere on its outside. There is a single word stamped onto the bottom of the device in a font so small you have to squint to read it: ~~Larabee~~. [[Put the camera back where you found it.->Paul's Dressing Room: Wardrobe Interior]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} It looks like it would have been one hell of a showstopper bake. It appears to have been a miniature model of the Seattle Center, including a spongecake Space Needle suspended on an armature of homemade breadsticks and an adjoining 'glass garden' featuring intricate, varicolored sculptures of spun sugar. Now that Paul is dead, it's unlikely that this bake will ever make it to TV. Such a shame. As you sift through the remains, you're surprised to find a [[crumpled piece of paper->Creative's Station: Note]] buried under a large slab of fondant. [[Examine the rest of {player.creative}'s station.->Creative's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} While the stains look vicious, a quick sniff test reveals them to be nothing more than a hearty serving of raspberry jam. [[Examine the rest of {player.creative}'s station.->Creative's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You brush the dust off of the notebook and crack it open. The handwriting within is large and messy, and the various notes and ideas seem to jump around from page to page seemingly at random. You flip through the book, skimming each page for anything of interest. *** [align left] _Try at 425, not 450_ [align right] _four eggs too many? 3 + yolk_ [align center] _remember aprons_ [align right] _TINY SPACE NEEDLE???_ [align left] _stab? too clean. bludgeon??_ [align center] _too much liqueur, drop by half_ [align left] _What about the noise? wouldn't they hear?_ [align right] _more or less suspicious if you find the body first_ [align center] _425 too cold, back to 450_ [align right] _start breadsticks earlier, proof 40m_ [continue] *** [[Examine the rest of {player.creative}'s station.->Creative's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You carefully unfold the note, brushing as much icing off of it as you can. You can't resist licking your fingers clean afterwards. The vanilla is subtle, but not overpowering, and is that a hint of amaretto you detect? Delicious. The note itself is short and written in tall, cursive lettering: <blockquote> _Come by my room at 6._ _Let's blow off some steam before the big day._ _-P_ </blockquote> [[Examine the rest of {player.creative}'s station.->Creative's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You make your way through the many drawers set into the side of {player.technical}'s station and lay their contents along the top of the counter. You pull out an absolute treasure trove of baking supplies: there are baking trays and pans of every size, including special trays for cookies and muffins; there are separate silicon, wood, and metal spatulas; there are four distinct sizes of rolling pins; there are whisks, mixers, spoons, scales, and bowls galore. At the bottom of the drawer, you find what appears to be a [[small keyfob->Technical's Station: Keyfob]] made out of dull gray plastic. [[Examine the rest of {player.technical}'s station.->Technical's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The folder contains printouts of three different recipes: > [[Paul's Soda Bread->Recipe: Paul's Soda Bread]] > [[{player.youtuber}'s Famous Shortbread->Recipe: Youtuber's Shortbread]] > [[{player.comedian}'s Brownies->Recipe: Comedian's Brownies]] [[Examine the rest of {player.technical}'s station.->Technical's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You rifle through the various drawers that run down the side of {player.creative}'s station. The production crew aren't messing around when they kit these things out. In addition to the baking trays and spatulas on top of the counter, you find a veritable armory of baking supplies, including bread pans, cookie trays, whisks, bowls, hand mixers, measuring spoons, scales, and not one, not two, but three different sizes of rolling pins. What you don't find is anything that would indicate criminal activity, unless the crime in question involves making a delicious dessert. [[Examine the rest of {player.creative}'s station.->Creative's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** <blockquote> 250g plain white flour \ 250g plain wholemeal flour \ 1 tsp salt \ 1 tsp baking soda \ 400ml buttermilk Heat the oven to 400°F. \ Line a baking tray with baking parchment. \ Put the powdered ingredients into a large bowl and mix well. \ Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. \ Using your fingers or a round-bladed knife, draw the flour into the buttermilk. \ Tip the dough out on to a lightly floured surface, shape it into a ball and flatten it slightly with the palm of your hand. \ Put the dough on the baking tray. \ Mark into quarters with a large, sharp knife, almost but not quite through to the base. \ Dust the top with flour. \ Bake for 30 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the base. </blockquote> *** [[Read the rest of the recipes.->Technical's Station: Recipes]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** <blockquote> 4 cups all-purpose flour \ 1 cup sugar \ 1 pound cold butter, cubed Remember this simple ratio! It's the key to perfect shortbread! 😍 Preheat oven to 325°F. \ In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar. \ Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. \ Knead dough until smooth. \ Pat dough into an ungreased baking pan. \ Bake until lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. \ Cut into squares while warm. </blockquote> *** [[Read the rest of the recipes.->Technical's Station: Recipes]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** <blockquote> 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour \ 1 cup sugar \ 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder \ 1/2 teaspoon baking powder \ 1/2 teaspoon salt \ 1/2 cup water \ 1/2 cup vegetable oil \ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix together all the dry ingredients. \ Mix in all the wet ingredients. \ Pat the batter into a lightly greased pan. \ Bake at 350°F degrees for about 20 minutes. </blockquote> *** [[Read the rest of the recipes.->Technical's Station: Recipes]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The object is about an inch and a half long and is made of a dull gray plastic. On closer inspection, it's not a keyfob at all -- rather, it seems to be a remote control of some kind. It reminds you of a slimmed-down version of the keyless entry remotes that come with most cars. There is a single round rubber button on one side of the remote. The word ~~Larabee~~ is stamped into the other side in small block letters. [[Examine the rest of {player.technical}'s station.->Technical's Station]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The teacup is empty, but the brown residue at the bottom of the cup confirms that it held tea at some point in the past. [[Keep examining the desk.->Paul's Dressing Room: Desk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Looks like someone had a real party last night. Four large pizza boxes are piled high on the table. You open up each of the boxes and inspect their contents in turn: pepperoni; Hawaiian; margherita; and some kind of cheeseless veggie option. Predictably, they're all stone cold by now. All of the pizzas are missing slices, but none of them have been finished, either. There's also an impressive array of open alcohol containers. You count six beer cans and two wine bottles strewn across the tent, along with a pair of wine glasses. The beers and glasses are empty, but the wine bottles are still half-full. Or half-empty. It feels like a half-empty kind of day. [[Keep investigating the judge's tent.->Judges' Tent]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The book shelf is massive, with five rows of shelves spanning almost the entire width of the bedroom. You carefully scan the volumes on the shelves. While most of the books are clearly part of the decorations that come with the room -- dry classic novels, out-of-date encyclopedia volumes, and coffee table books from forgotten local photographers -- you spot a few that {player.comedian} seems to have brought for their personal reading. > [[The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon->Book: Yiddish Policemen's Union]] > [[The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie->Book: Body in the Library]] > [[Inherent Vice by Thomas Pynchon->Book: Inherent Vice]] [[Keep investigating the rest of {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You dig through the cupboards that run along the bookshelf. Most of them contain the usual suspects you'd find in any rented bedroom: extra blankets; sealed boxes of Kleenex; a pile of old board games. In the last cupboard, though, you find a small safe. The safe has a ten digit keypad for entering a passcode to unlock it. Next to the keypad is a handle opens the safe once it is unlocked. Enter a passcode: {text input for: 'inviteCode', required:false} {reveal link: 'Submit passscode', text: "A light on the safe flashes red three times. Seems like that wasn't the passcode." } [[Try the handle.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Safe Interior]] [[Keep investigating the rest of {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Playing cards are scattered across the small reading table, and a few have fallen off the table and down onto the carpet below. A few extra [[packs of cards in various colors->Comedian's Dressing Room: Packs]] are stacked along the side of the table, although it appears only one pack has been opened. A [[flip-top cell phone->Comedian's Dressing Room: Phone]] sits next to the card packs. [[Keep investigating the rest of {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The bed is unmade and the covers are in violent disarray. The pillows are disheveled and seem to have been thrown chaotically around the bed. You pull the bedding off the bed. There is nothing out of the ordinary underneath it, but you do notice that the sheets have a sour smell about them. You hear a clinking sound as you replace the sheets back on the bed. You reach your hand down the side of the bed and pull out an empty whiskey bottle. [[Investigate the rest of {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You flip open the phone and check the message history. There are two text message threads from the last few days. > [[[Paul]->Comedian's Dressing Room: Paul]] > [[[{npc.comedian_sponsor}]->Comedian's Dressing Room: Sponsor]] [[Put down the cell phone.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Reading Table]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You've been meaning to read this one. You know that it's a crime story focused on a murder in the Jewish community of an alternate universe version of Sitka, Alaska. It sounds like the kind of thing you'd be interested in, but what with one thing and another you haven't got around to reading it yet. You crack open the book to flick through its pages and notice that the first page has been torn out. [[Examine the other books.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Book Shelf]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You're pretty sure you've read this one before. It's classic Christie -- someone's found dead in a fancy English mansion, and some well-meaning octogenarian takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it. Did the butler do it? Or was it the maid...? [[Examine the other books.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Book Shelf]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You open the book expecting to find a neo-noir about a drugged-out hippie private eye investigating a disappearance in '70s LA, but instead you discover that the center has been cut out of half the pages, leaving an open rectangular space in the middle of the book. Nestled into that gap is a bunched-up Ziploc bag filled with a mysterious white power. [[Examine the other books.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Book Shelf]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The latch clicks and the safe swings open. Apparently it wasn't locked after all! Inside the safe, you find two books: *Staying Sober* by Terence T. Gorski and *Anger Management Through Boxing* by Dr. BJ Rydell. You notice some faint traces of white powder next to the books, but its source is not readily apparent. [[Continue investigating {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **5 days ago - 10:42 AM** [align left] Are you coming to the meeting tonight? [align right] Can't. im filming in Washington this week. [align left] Right. [align left] Try to be around for the next meeting okay? [align left] You know how you get if you miss them. [align right] k [align right] I'm just busy this job is big for me [align center] **2 days ago - 1:42 AM** [align left] I got your voicemail [align left] Fucking hell, {player.comedian} [align left] You need to stick away from booze okay [align left] You don't want a repeat of last time [align center] **Yesterday - 8:43 PM** [align right] {npc.comedian_sponsor} [align right] im sorry {npc.comedian_sponsor} [align right] i did something real stupid [align right] im might do another stupid thing [align right] sorry to always be causing you trouble [align right] dont hat e me [continue] *** [[Read the other texts.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Phone]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **Yesterday - 9:47 AM** [align left] We playing tonight? [align center] **Yesterday - 11:13 AM** [align right] yeah [align left] You're still good to play after last time? [align right] yeah i got the goods [align right] come by at 5 [align center] **Yesterday - 2:17 PM** [align right] fuck Paul can you please turn that shit down [align right] im moving money around [align right] a man can't bank to a noise like that [align left] Go fuck yourself [align left] Actually get the money [align left] Then go fuck yourself [align center] **Yesterday - 10:41 PM** [align right] paul [align right] please paul we need to talk [align right] i'm coming over [continue] *** [[Read the other texts.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Phone]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The notes have soaked up quite a lot of blood, causing their ink to run and the pages to stick together. You have to take extra care to not accidentally rip any of them as you carefully peel each page off of its neighbor. Most of the pages appear to be Paul's personal notes about each of the competitors and their performance over the course of the season. These notes are all written on loose-leaf college ruled paper and written in a tight, neat hand. Even without being able to read the details, it is clear that Paul was a very light note taker indeed. At the bottom of the stack is a [[note that doesn't match the others->Paul's Dressing Room: IOU]]. [[Examine the rest of the desk.->Paul's Dressing Room: Desk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You rub at the blood that has congealed over the picture frame. While this mostly just serves to smear the blood over a wider area, you do thin it out enough to get a clear (if red-tinted) look at the picture inside. It is a picture of Paul, standing by himself next to a blue and white racing car. He's dressed in a full-body racing suit and he's has a visored helmet tucked under his arm. [[Keep examining the desk.->Paul's Dressing Room: Desk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The bed has been neatly made and does not appear to have been slept in. The colorful, birthday cake-themed sheets are smooth and unruffled, and even the [[pile of multicolored stuffed animals->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Stuffed Animals]] at the head of the bed has been arranged into a tidy stack between both pillows. There is also a [[digital SLR camera->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Camera]] sitting on the center of the bed. A [[modest nightstand->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Nightstand]] is squeezed between the bed and the bay window. You check under the covers and even dig through the pile of stuffed toys, but apart from a plush cupcake with a deeply shifty expression, you don't find anything suspicious. [[Investigate the rest of {player.youtuber}'s room.->Youtuber's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The wall is covered floor-to-ceiling in posters, photos, and framed magazine covers. The posters and magazines seem to cover the highlights of {player.youtuber}'s career, with headlines such as: [align center] **{title.youtuber_youtube}: Online baking's hottest new talent?** **Baking up something viral? Breakout stars of the COVID pandemic** **Away from the oven:** \ **The inspiring story of {player.youtuber}, the mind behind online sensation {title.youtuber_youtube}** **{title.youtuber_youtube} LIVE -- PASADENA 2019** **All grown up?** \ **{player.youtuber} on life, love, and moving from Youtube to TV** [continue] The photographs on the wall have all been blown-up to jumbo size and framed. All of the shots are of the hosting team of the new Baking Show, likely taken during some promotional photo shoot or other. While there are a few photos of all three hosts together, most of the shots just of the judging team: {player.youtuber} and Paul Holyroot. In each shot, {player.youtuber} looks delighted to be there, beaming ear to ear and experimenting with all kinds of posing, including several shots where they are hugging Paul or giving him bunny ears. Through all this, Paul maintains his trademark cool, smiling wryly at the camera and rarely letting his hands leave the pockets of his neatly pressed jeans. [[Investigate the rest of {player.youtuber}'s room.->Youtuber's Dressing Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You pick up the camera and turn it over in your hands, examining it. It's a professional-quality DSLR, and it must weigh at least a couple pounds before you even factor in the portrait lens currently attached to it. You press a button to try to wake up the LCD on the back of the camera, but it appears to be out of battery. Examining further, you see that the power switch has been left flicked to the ~~On~~ position. [unless keys.sd_card] There is an [[SD card->Youtuber's Dressing Room: SD Card]] inserted into a slot in the side of the camera. [else] You have already taken the SD card from this camera, and its slot lies empty. [continue] [[Keep examining the bed.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Bed]]

keys.sd_card:true -- _You pop the SD card out of the camera and put it in your pocket for safe-keeping._ [[Keep examining the bed.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Bed]]

password:"" -- {embed passage:'Take Turn'} {player.youtuber}'s laptop is a smaller model suitable for carrying in a large purse or messenger bag. The lid is covered in various stickers featuring cartoon drawings of various animals and baked goods. [unless keys.laptop] You lift the laptop's lid and type a couple of keys to wake it up. The screen bursts into life, displaying a lock screen with a blinking cursor. {embed passage: "Lock Screen"} [else] A web browser is open on the laptop's screen. There are several tabs already open: > [[Channel analytics - Youtube Studio->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Analytics]] > [[{npc.youtuber_agent} - Messages->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Agent]] > [[The Holy Church of Root->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Blog]] [continue] [[Investigate the rest of {player.youtuber}'s room.->Youtuber's Dressing Room]]

keys.laptop:password === "411" -- [if keys.laptop] That's it! The lock screen disappears, and the laptop's desktop springs to life. [else] The password field shudders and flashes red. It seems like that wasn't the right password. [continue] [[Continue->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Laptop]]

[align center] **Enter PIN** \ **Hint: Shortbread** {text input for: 'password', required:false} [[Submit->Validate Laptop Password]] [continue]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This tab is displaying the performance statistics for {player.youtuber}'s popular Youtube channel {title.youtuber_youtube}. {player.youtuber} has uploaded more than a thousand videos over the last few years, mostly focused on baking tips, kitchen hacks, and showing off novelty bakes based on scenes and characters from popular culture. The success of this channel is what landed {player.youtuber} the job on the Great Northwest Baking Show, but since taking the job their output has dropped off dramatically. Whereas they used to upload at least one video a day, they've only uploaded three new videos since the Baking Show started shooting three months ago. This lack of output is really starting to show in their analytics, too. Where their channel used to draw millions of views a month, it's now barely cresting a few thousand views, and their subscriber count has actually started to decrease in the last few weeks. [[Check out the other open tabs.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Laptop]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This tab is contains a message thread between {player.youtuber} and one {npc.youtuber_agent}, whose profile lists them as an agent working for Allied Talent Agency. *** [align center] **2 days ago - 4:43 PM** [align left] Are you going to get a new video out this week? Your numbers are starting to look pretty soft. [align right] I want to, but I don't have tiiime. I'm working super hard on GNBS and I don't have any of my gear here besides. 😑 [align left] Alright. See if you can make some time next time you're back in LA? [align left] If you keep up radio silence like this, your subscribers are going to move onto something new. [align left] And once you've lost them, there's no getting them back. You know what the internet is like. [align right] If this show is a success I won't need to go back though, right? [align right] Making so many videos is such a drain 😓 [align right] Do we know if we're renewed yet?? [align right] I know the ratings have been good and I sent in my paperwork like four weeks ago [align left] I haven't heard anything. Let me check and I'll get back to you ASAP. [align right] ok!!! 🤞🤞🤞 [align center] **Yesterday - 6:10 PM** [align left] Okay, I heard back from the studio. [align left] They're happy with the numbers, but it sounds like they're still waiting on Paul to agree to the terms. [align left] Pauls' the headliner, so no Paul means no show [align right] WTF???? [align right] what is he waiting for [align left] I'm going to put out feelers for other opportunities, just in case [align left] Can you get me a new headshot? The one I have is out of date [align right] I'll go talk to Paul [align right] And find a camera I guess [continue] *** [[Check out the other open tabs.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Laptop]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This tab contains a blog on a popular microblogging site. It appears to be logged in as the blog's author. The blog is marked as private, but it still has several hundred followers who have been granted access. The title of the blog is ~~The Holy Church of Root~~, and based on the large header photo of a smiling Paul Holyroot backlit by a wreath of angelic light, you're pretty sure you know who its subject is. There's a menu of links at the top of the page that provide shortcuts to various categories of blog posts: ~~Diary~~, ~~Art~~, ~~Fic~~, and ~~NSFW~~. Oh, my. The browser is currently pointed to the ~~Diary~~ category, and previews of some of the most recent posts are visible in chronological order. *** [align center] **Fourteen days ago, 9:55 PM** [continue] <blockquote> We just wrapped up filming another episode of GNBS! Omg y'all, you're going to LOVE this show when it comes out. {player.comedian} is so funny in all the skits, and PH is SO COOOL and fun to work with. There's a part in this episode that will make you absolutely lose your shit. No spoilers! Well, maybe I can give a little hint. One of the contestants was sooo proud of his bake and thought he was gonna get 'the handshake' for sure 🙄 When PH tried it during the judging, his eyes got all big and he... </blockquote> [align center] **Seven days ago, 8:40 AM** [continue] <blockquote> Early post today! Just finished eating breakfast with PH, nbd. Actually it kind of was no big deal, cause it was just some pretty basic eggs and sausage from craft services. You know me tho -- I'd never complain about eating sausage with PH 🌭 😜😜😜 We sometimes stay over in our dressing rooms before big shoots, and it is SO WEIRD sleeping next door to PH. He totally snores! Plus he sometimes leaves his stuff on the bathroom counter. You wouldn't BELIEVE how much product he... </blockquote> [align center] **Seven days ago, 10:12 PM** [continue] <blockquote> Omg noooooo!!! We just had to eliminate my favorite baker. 😭😭😭 It was really close, but ultimately their showstopper just wasn't as good as the other two bakers. Well, I actually thought one of the other bakers did slightly worse, but PH disagreed. I think he's been going too easy on them for a while now, but he's the expert so 🤷 Anyway, no more spoilers! You'll have to make up your own minds when the show starts airing... </blockquote> [align center] **Yesterday, 2:17 PM** [continue] <blockquote> We just filmed the last sketch of the season! This one is sooo funny. I don't always get them, but I try not to let it show in front of PH 😅 But I got to write this one, so it's gonna be funny. You've seen my videos, so you know I'm real good at comedy. 😎🤡😂 Speaking of you-know-who, did you know he's crazy about racing cars? 🏎️ He talks about it even more than baking! And when he's not talking about racing, he's playing racing games on this crazy simulator in his bedroom. It's pretty cool but I wish he'd turn the sound down. He likes to play rock music while he's racing, and it's preeetty annoying when youre trying to sleep. I had to ask a friend for... </blockquote> [align center] **Yesterday, 7:52 PM** [continue] <blockquote> FUCK PH!!!! FUYCK HIM!!! GFDI I CANT BELIECE THIS SHIT. PH IS CANCELED. HES DONE. FUCK HIM. FUCK FUCKFUCIJFIUJFIJO </blockquote> *** [[Check out the other open tabs.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Laptop]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You've been to zoos that had fewer animals than this. Although none of them were this colorful. Or this spherical. You examine each of the stuffed toys in turn. Most of them are nothing out of the ordinary -- they're big, they're squishy, and they smell softly of sleep and shampoo. At the bottom of the pile, you discover a stuffed pink kangaroo with a zip-up pouch. You unzip the pouch and reach inside, pulling out a small purple cigarette lighter. You flick the sparkwheel, and a thin, blue flame shoots out of the top of the lighter. You put the lighter back where you found it and place the kangaroo onto the bed with the rest of its multicolored fellows. [[Keep examining the rest of the bed.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Bed]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You leaf through the different packs of cards. You've got all your classics here -- Bicycle, KEM, Modiano, and the obligatory pack of erotic novelty cards. Each of the packs have been opened, although some appear to have been played with more than others. You pause as you reach the final pack, as you realize that it's not a pack of cards at all. Instead, it's a pack of clove cigarettes. You flip the pack open and look inside. It's half-empty, but you can see that each of the cigarettes are wrapped in a distinctive black paper and marked with silver foil around the filter. [[Keep examining the table.->Comedian's Dressing Room: Reading Table]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You lift the curtain aside and step past it into editing bay. The curtain is shockingly effective at its job. Where the rest of the sitting room gleams from the morning sun blazing in through the windows, the editing suite is dim and lit primarily by the glow from three large LCD monitors arranged on the desk within. The surface is this desk is covered in all kinds of electronics tools and gizmos. In addition to the requisite mouse and keyboard, you spot an digital mixing deck, multiple external hard drives, a veritable [[rat's nest of chargers, video cables, and SD card readers->The Editing Suite: SD Card Reader]]. The twisting mass of cables that powers all this equipment snakes down the back of the desk, terminating in a beefy-looking [[workstation PC->The Editing Suite: PC]] sitting on the floor below. [[Go back out through curtain.->The Sitting Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The craft services tables are mostly bare, ready and expectant for the heaps of drinks, snacks, buffet dishes, and plastic utensils that would have been necessary to fuel today's finale shoot. On one table sit several [[hot beverage dispensers->Craft Services: Tea Station]] next to a variety box of brand name tea bags. Another table hosts a variety of dry foods -- bread, cereal, apples, peanut butter, and the like -- to serve as breakfast for the cast members who were staying overnight. Several [[mini fridges->Craft Services: Fridges]] have been squeezed in under this table as well. There are large [[trash cans->Craft Services: Trash Cans]] placed at either end of the banquet tables. You imagine the proprietors of Thornewood Castle wouldn't look too kindly on anyone leaving trash lying around their nice castle. [[Investigate the rest of the sitting room.->The Sitting Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The break area is the only part of the sitting room still furnished with its original furniture. The [[arm chairs->The Sitting Room: Arm Chairs]] are plush and well-stuffed, and the coffee table is a dark, burnished mahogany. A number of [[loose sheets of paper->The Sitting Room: Script]] are spread across the table. [[Investigate the rest of the sitting room.->The Sitting Room]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} Several tall, stainless steel beverage dispensers are arranged on the table next to a few boxes of individually-wrapped tea bags. The dispensers labeled ~~Coffee~~ and ~~Decaf~~ are both empty, but the one labeled ~~Hot water~~ is half-full and plugged into the wall. A dial on the back declares that the dispenser is set to a balmy 190°F -- slightly too hot for green tea, slightly too cold for black, and guaranteed to give you an acceptably mediocre experience regardless of your drink of choice. [[Keep examining craft services.->The Sitting Room: Craft Services]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You open up each of the fridges and look inside. They're mostly empty, waiting for the delivery people who would have restocked them the morning before the finale shoot. You spot some milk cartons, a bottle of orange juice, and a few packets of carrot sticks, but otherwise there isn't much to report in the first two fridges. The last fridge looks like it had been prepared in advance for some post-recording celebrations. There are several cardboard 24-packs of beer and several bottles of wine from local wineries. The 24-packs are almost empty, with just a couple of cans remaining between them. [[Keep examining craft services.->The Sitting Room: Craft Services]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You lift the lids off of the trash cans and peer within. It looks like they were emptied fairly recently, as the trash can next to the food supplies is almost empty; it contains an apple core, the wrapper from a granola bar, a couple of pizza crusts, and a few greasy napkins. The trash can closer to the tea station is similarly barren. Its contents are limited to few empty paper cups and discarded tea bags, sitting in an inch-deep puddle of murky, reddish-brown trash water. Someone must have thrown a full cup of tea into here without thinking about the poor bastard who'd have to clean up after them. Rude. [[Keep examining craft services.->The Sitting Room: Craft Services]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The armchairs look extremely comfortable. You're briefly tempted to sit down and rest your feet, but you have a job to do. You run your hands down the side of the each of the chairs. You mostly pull up dust and the occasional coin, but as you search the final chair, you feel your fingers brush up against something more substantial. You carefully work the object out from under the chair's pillow and hold it up under the light. It's a single cigarette, slightly crushed but unsmoked, wrapped in black paper and marked with a band of silver foil around the filter. [[Keep investigating the break area.->The Sitting Room: Sitting Area]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The papers appear to be printed pages of a script. The sheets are out of order, but as best you can gather it's some kind of gritty, neo-noir mystery story. Most of the lines of dialog contain at least one swear word, and whole pages are devoted to detailed, blow-by-blow descriptions of fight scenes and violent gun battles. Someone has marked many of the sheets up heavily with a red pen. Various pieces of dialog have been crossed out and replaced, and there is a ongoing stream of commentary running in the margins. Most of the notes seem to be concerned the the script isn't funny enough. After some searching you manage to find the title page: [align center] **{title.dp_movie}** **By {player.dp}** [continue] [[Continue reading the script.->The Sitting Room: Script Finale]] [[Keep investigating the break area.->The Sitting Room: Sitting Area]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} [if !keys.sd_card_reader] You sort through the mess of gizmos that are strewn across the desk. A lot of them seem to be chargers for the extra-large brick batteries that the camera operators use to film the Baking Show. The camera team is likely to cycle through dozens of these batteries on any given shooting day. You also find a number of adapters for importing files into the editing PC. While most of the adapters are sized for the large, magazine-style hard drives used in professional digital camcorders, you do find one adapter capable of reading standard consumer SD cards. [else] _You have inserted the SD card you found into the SD card reader. You should now be able to read the files on it using the editing PC._ [continue] [if keys.sd_card && !keys.sd_card_reader] You can [[insert the SD card you found into the card reader->The Editing Suite: Insert Card]] if you want. [continue] [[Explore the rest of the editing suite.->The Editing Suite]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You tap a key on the keyboard, and the three monitors all spring to life without prompting for a password. Each monitor is displaying a different application: > [[Video Editor->Editing PC: Video Editor]] > [[Messages->Editing PC: Messages]] > [[Email->Editing PC: Email]] [if keys.sd_card_reader] _Now that you've inserted the SD card into the reader, a new dialog is blinking in the corner of the right-most screen. It reads: [[`Open external media in Explorer?`->The Editing Suite: SD Card Files]]_ [continue] [[Investigate the rest of the editing bay.->The Editing Suite]]

keys.sd_card_reader:true -- You press the SD card you found in {player.youtuber}'s room into the SD card reader. It locks into place with a satisfying click, and a small red LED lights up on the reader to indicate that the media has been successfully detected. You can now view the files on the SD card using the editing PC. [[Keep exploring the editing suite.->The Editing Suite]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The grinning faces of {player.comedian} and {player.youtuber} are frozen on the preview window of the video editor. It looks like someone has been assembling a rough cut of the opening sketch that would have run before the finale. For some reason, they're both wearing a glittery, full-body costumes that make them look like giant bipedal cakes. You assume it would make more sense if you watched it from the start. All of the files have timestamps that confirm that they were filmed yesterday between 12:15 PM and 12:50 PM. [[Examine the other applications.->The Editing Suite: PC]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} There are two recent message threads opening on the messaging application. > [[[Party4llNight]->Editing PC: Party4llNight]] > [[[Paul.Holyroot]->Editing PC: Paul.Holyroot]] [[Examine the other applications.->The Editing Suite: PC]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **3 days ago - 10:40 PM** [continue] <blockquote> Hi {player.dp}, Thanks for sending over the latest draft of your script and for clarifying your terms. While I see a lot of potential in you and think {title.dp_movie} has the makings of a hit, I'm afraid we're going to have to pass on a funding deal on this one. To be blunt, your terms are unworkable. Final edit AND final say over all casting decisions? Kid, not even Spielberg gets a deal that good anymore. And you a first time feature director? I'd be laughed out of LA if I signed that paperwork. If you want that kind of control, you're going to have to try and come up with the money to make this picture on your own. You've got a vision though, and I have to respect that. Hit me up again when you've got a movie or two under your belt already and I'll see what we can do. Best of luck, {npc.dp_producer} p.g.a. </blockquote> *** [[Examine the other applications.->The Editing Suite: PC]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The SD card contains five photos. They're all various shots of {player.creative} standing out in the garden. They are wearing an apron and a baker's hat in matching, light-green floral print, and they are carrying a large wooden rolling pin. The sun-dappled garden makes for quite a serene scene, but the effect is ruined by the dark red stains that splattered across the apron and the rolling pin. The wicked smile on {player.creative}'s lips doesn't help the mood much, either. The camera that took these photos must have a misconfigured internal clock, as the photos all have timestamps from January 2, 1971. [[Examine the other applications.->The Editing Suite: PC]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **2 days ago - 1:15 AM** [align left] Heading to the airport now! [align right] kk [align left] You okay? [align right] eh. your dads being a prick [align right] and i got another producer email [align left] Bad news? :((( [align right] mm [align left] I'm sorry [align left] I wish we had the money to just make it ourselves [align right] ha [align left] I'm serious!! I'd give you the money if I could! [align right] yeah yeah [align right] fuck [align right] bunch of self-important assholes. it's worse than sxsw [align left] OMG!!!! [align left] we MET at sxsw!!! [align right] o [align right] right [align center] **Yesterday - 5:42 PM** [align left] I'm here!!! Come on down!!! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ [align right] brt [align center] **Yesterday - 11:33 PM** [align right] hey [align right] where r u? [align right] {player.partygoer}???? [align right] where the fuck are you [continue] *** [[Read the other messages->Editing PC: Messages]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} *** [align center] **6 days ago - 9:35 PM** [align left] Hey [align left] Hey Hollywood [align left] That sounds kind of like my name LOL [align right] what is it paul [align left] Bring me a cup of tea won't you? [align right] im working paul [align left] So you're at your computer? [align right] yeah [align left] Then youre right by the bloody tea station [align left] stop being such a lazy prick and bring me some tea [align center] **2 days ago - 9:15 AM** [align left] Hey Hollywood, tea time [align right] kinda busy here [align left] Oh that's funny [align left] Busy with your job? [align left] The job that I got you? [align right] guess so [align left] Then bring me some tea [align right] im not your secretary paul [align left] I got you this job Hollywood [align left] Don't think for a second I did it because I like you [align left] You're lucky that you know my kid [align left] And you're lucky that I'm a good dad who cares about his kid's feelings [align right] oh NOW you care?? [align left] Excuse me [align left] What the FUCK is that meant to mean [align right] nothing [align left] Bring me my bloody tea [align center] **2 days ago - 8:42 PM** [align left] Tea [align right] if i bring you tea, will you please put on some headphones [align right] i can barely hear myself think [align left] This is not a negotiation [align right] fine [align right] be right there [continue] *** [[Read the other messages->Editing PC: Messages]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} This final sheet is smaller than the other notes, and one side of the page is torn. A couple paragraphs are printed on it in small, serifed type: *** <blockquote> Nine months Landsman's been flopping at the Hotel Zamenhof without any of his fellow residents managing to get themselves murdered. Now somebody has put a bullet in the brain of the occupant of 208, a yid who was calling himself Emanuel Lasker. "He didn't answer the phone, he wouldn't open his door," says Tenenboym the night manager when he comes to roust Landsman. Landsman lives in 505, with a view of the neon sign on the hotel across Max Nordau Street. That one is called the Blackpool, a word that figures in Landsman's nightmares. "I had to let myself into his room." </blockquote> *** You turn the page over to find a handwritten note on the back. The handwriting is larger and looser, and the letters practically scrawled across the page: *** [align center] **IOU $50k** [continue] *** There is a signature underneath, but it is too slurred and blood-run to make out. [[Put down the note.->Paul's Dressing Room: Notes]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The checkbook is bound in black leather cover. While a few stray streaks of blood have splattered across the cover, its it far enough from Paul's body to have avoided the wide pool of blood that has soaked most of the desk. You flick through the checkbook's contents. It is half-empty and contains, as you might expect, a lot of blank checks. Paul's name and home address are printed in the corner of each check. [[Examine the rest of the desk.->Paul's Dressing Room: Desk]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The nightstand's narrow surface is almost completely taken up by a radio alarm clock and a USB phone charger. You slide open the drawer built into the front of the nightstand and peer inside. You're a little relieved to discover that there is nothing particularly intimate contained within -- just a sleeping mask, a pack of earplugs, and a small pill bottle with the name ~~AMBIEN~~ printed across the label. You give the bottle a shake, but it appears to be empty. [[Keep examining the bed.->Youtuber's Dressing Room: Bed]]

turns.max:16 turns.current:0 freeplay:false config.body.transition.name: "crossfade" config.header.left:"" config.header.right:"" config.footer.left:"_The Great Northwest Baking Show_" config.footer.right:"[[Reset->Verify Reset]]" -- **Welcome to the Great Northwest Baking Show!** For the first time ever, the global baking competition phenomenon is going local with a season focusing on the amateur bakers of the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Everything was lined up to make this season a smash-hit. With a gorgeous shooting location of Lakewood, WA's Thornewood Castle and a superstar judging lineup of Baking Show legend Paul Holyroot and online sensation {player.youtuber}, this was going to be the best season of the Baking Show yet. At least, that was the plan. Alas, late on the night before the finale was to be shot, Paul Holyroot was discovered dead in his personal dressing room by the season's host, {player.comedian}. The blood splattered across the room left little room for doubt -- this was a murder. The detectives have been called. The crime scene has been locked down. Now day is breaking and one thing has been made clear -- no one is leaving here until the murderer has been found. *** To get started, please [[enter your invitation code->Invite Code]].

Are you sure you want to reset the game? This will discard any progress you have made so far. > {restart link, label: 'Yes, I really want to reset my game.'} > [[On second thought, I'm good.->Welcome]]

Did you run out of time during your investigation? Saying yes will end the current round of investigation and return you to the welcome page. > [[Yes, I ran out of time.->Time Up]] > {back link, label:'I still have time. Take me back to the investigation!'}

_turnsRemaining:turns.max - turns.current _displayTurns:_turnsRemaining _displayTurns (_displayTurns < 0): 0 _trackTurns:turns.max > 0 config.header.right (_trackTurns): "Turns remaining: {_displayTurns}" --

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} You keep sifting through the papers until you come across what appears to be the script's finale page. This one has not been marked up with red pen yet -- it seems whoever was editing them lacked either the time or the endurance to get to this point. You read: *** THE HERO takes another step toward GIGANTE’s desk, the shotgun held low but steady. *Un Bel Di Vedremo* plays audibly on the gramophone by the desk. [align center] GIGANTE\ Hey, buddy, *cucciolo*, you don’t have to do this. This isn’t you. You’re an artist, not a killer. THE HERO\ I was an artist. You made me a killer. GIGANTE\ I made you a professional, *passerotto*. You were a bum, content to play with watercolors all day. I gave you a job and a larger canvas. A human canvas. THE HERO\ Then I should thank you. GIGANTE\ That’s right! You were nobody before, an art scene reject with no patron, no muse. Now you’re the most feared man in Chicago. THE HERO\ That’s just it, Tony. When I was an artist, I had no muse. But now I’m a killer… [continue] THE HERO pumps the shotgun. The music swells. GIGANTE starts to rise. [align center] GIGANTE\ --Wait! THE HERO\ It’s you, Tony. You’re my muse. THE HERO pulls the trigger. GIGANTE’s body is launched backwards through the window behind him. [continue] EXT. THE TUSCAN HILLS, SUNRISE THE HERO sits at an easel, painting the sun rising over the grape vines. He is humming *Un Bel Di Vedremo*. *** [[Keep investigating the break area.->The Sitting Room: Sitting Area]]

{embed passage:'Take Turn'} The punching bag is a freestanding unit mounted on a heavy plastic base. The bag itself is clad in thick black leather emblazoned with the logo of a popular mixed martial arts league. Although it looks like a fairly new model, this bag has clearly seem some use: the leather is creased and dented around the bag's center, and parts of the vinyl logo have started to flake off. [[Investigate the rest of {player.comedian}'s dressing room.->Comedian's Dressing Room]]