The Consequences [Concluded]

[ULC]

How about we actually get to know one of these people, instead of sizing them up based upon whether or not they might want to get lucky.

[miotas]

I say old man.

[Chaotix]

Alright, I see where most of the opinion lies here. Let's get this game going again, there's been no orders all day.

Strike up a conversation with the old man. Ask him about what made him decide to take this psychological experiment. If he asks us the same thing, then claim we are a little short on cash, and thought this would be a good idea. If he is initially cold and aloof, then compliment his clothing to try and warm him up.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Deciding that talking with the elderly gentleman would be the most interesting/productive, you strike up a conversation with him. After shooting the breeze for a bit, you ask him why he chose to take the experiment.

"Well," he says, "I need the money. I had a good, solid job for most of my life. I worked in real estate. So all of my hard work and saving went down the drain pretty quickly once the housing bubble burst. Didn't help that my agency was bought out by some research firm that had no connection with real estate, either. Got to love the M.O. of these mega-corporations, eh? Whatever happened to specialization?"

The man seems like he could go on talking about boring white-collar issues for a while.

[Splitpersonality]

Perhaps ask the specifics about the research firm which bought out his agency?

[pevergreen]

$5 its systech.

[Thermal]

$5 its systech.

Yeah it makes sense.

Ask the old man if he knew what research firm bought out his agency and if he knew what they were planning to do/build there. Try not to butt in if hes on a rant and be respectful. Also ask him if he knows anything more about what the psychological experiment entails.

[GeneralHankerchief]

"I can't remember its exact name; it was just another faceless entity to me, the kind of company that controls a bunch of other companies that are more familiar to the American public. Sort of like Berkshire-Hathaway, although I know it wasn't them. Maybe Aperture Science? No, wait, that's a name my grandson's been talking about a lot lately. I'm sorry about that. As for what they wanted to do, who knows? I got canned very early on after the acquisition. Old guy like me, been with the company for a couple of decades? I had no chance of surviving that merger. None. So that's why I'm stuck here, doing this experiment because it's a guaranteed 50 bucks. My grandson needs a birthday present in a couple of weeks and this is going to pay for it."

Before the man can say more, the four of you are ushered into the next room by a very professional woman. She looks to be in her early 40s, but is still mildly attractive.

"Greetings and thanks for coming," she says. "My name is Angela Larson and I'll be helping administer the experiment today. This shouldn't take more than two hours and complimentary refreshments will be provided at the end, along with your $50. I'm now passing out what is pretty much a consent form to all of you, signifying that you agree to take part in the experiment and will not hold us liable for any damages, however unlikely, that may arise from your participation. I urge you to read over it and ask me any questions before you sign."

She passes you the piece of paper and a pen. The overly made-up woman signs immediately. The other two participants are taking a bit more time.

[Jolt]

Take a brief look at the consent paper.

[Mithrandir]

Wink to the middle aged woman.

[Subotan]

Maybe Aperture Science? No, wait, that's a name my grandson's been talking about a lot lately.

I'm getting an Aperture Laboratories mug in the post

[GeneralHankerchief]

The first part of the consent form is just that: "You agree to give consent to... etc." Nothing particularly interesting. The second part is the liability form. It reads "By agreeing to take part in this experimental study, you hereby waive all rights to hold the Madison Psychological Research Institute liable for any such damages incurred by the study, and agree that the Madison Psychological Research Institute is not responsible for any effects that the study may have on your being.

Below that is the signature line, and below that is a bit of fine print. "Certified ethical by the American Psychological Association."

[Beskar]

Hehehe, I noticed GeneralHankerchief added a certified ethical mention from my previous mentioning.

Sign it John Smith and take the test.

(back to where I said we should call himself John Smith and there was implied agreement, since no one disagreed)

[Jolt]

I think we should sign "José Mourinho". That name will quickly increase our odds of success at everything.

[Subotan]

Hehehe, I noticed GeneralHankerchief added a certified ethical mention from my previous mentioning.

Sign it John Smith and take the test.

(back to where I said we should call himself John Smith and there was implied agreement, since no one disagreed)

Ahem.

All the way back to page 10...

Speaking of crazy scientist adventures, we need a name before we sign up for this test. I propose the name "Calvin Hobbes", since John Smith is the worst pseudonym ever.

I presumed that the silence to my proposal meant there were no objections. Therefore, we're called "Calvin Hobbes"

[Splitpersonality]

Does it really matter what we're named? It seems like a trivial matter...

Just sign the thing...

[Subotan]

It does matter. Partly because I picked it, but also becaue John Smith is the most obvious fake name ever.

[Beskar]

No it isn't, I actually know two real John Smiths.

Also, that was the joke of it.

[pevergreen]

Pretty sure I suggested we are named Michael J. Caboose and I got a second.

[Beskar]

You know, the best name would be: Splitpersonality.

[miotas]

It does matter. Partly because I picked it, but also becaue John Smith is the most obvious fake name ever.

And Calvin Hobbes isn't? Especially a Calvin Hobbes who's going to do a psychological experiment?

[Stildawn]

Seriously... Who cares about the name.... Lets move on shall we lol.

[Beskar]

Might as well write: Sigmund Freud, Jean Piaget, John Watson, Burrhus Frederic Skinner, Noam Chomsky, Russell Spears, Harvey Saches, etc.

[Beefy187]

I think we should sign "José Mourinho". That name will quickly increase our odds of success at everything.

[Subotan]

Pretty sure I suggested we are named Michael J. Caboose and I got a second.

Mine was first, and Double A was seconding something else

[pevergreen]

Mine was first, and Double A was seconding something else

My vote goes to Michael J. Caboose or Calvin Hobbs.

My name has a middle name.

[GeneralHankerchief]

You sign the paper and hand it back to Angela, who finishes collecting the rest of them. She disappears into the next room for a moment and reemerges with several more sheets of paper. They are grouped together by staple.

"What follows next is the written portion of the study," she says. "Please answer all questions honestly. Failure to answer every question will result in a forfeiture of the $50. Once you are done, just let me know and I will collect your answers. Once everyone is finished, then we can move on to the practical portion." She passes out the questions and motions for you to begin. The questions are as follows:

1. You are a healthy adult adrift at sea with no hope of immediate rescue. Two other people are adrift with you: Another healthy adult with whom you have a friendly relationship, and a child whom neither of you know who is starting to feel the effects. The three of you are starving. Which one of you do you choose to sacrifice to buy the other two time?

2. A cataclysmic event is happening planetwide. You have a well-stocked bunker and will manage to survive indefinitely, but the bunker can only hold five people aside from yourself and there are several people vying for the spot. Whom do you choose, keeping in mind that your party may be the only people on Earth that survive the cataclysm:
- An elderly professor that has won several community awards, but refuses to go without...
- His wife, who is past childbearing age and refuses to go without her husband
- An infertile professional chef
- A 32-year-old ex-Marine, who was dishonorably discharged
- A 27-year-old male computer programmer who originally dropped out of med school
- A 51-year-old handyman/mechanic, who may or may not be able to still have children
- A 19-year-old pregnant crack addict
- A 33-year-old single mother, who refuses to go without...
- Her 7-year-old daughter, who will go without Mommy but will probably never be the same
- A Catholic priest

3. Ignoring the inherent paradoxes, if you had a time machine and were allowed to go back in time to prevent one person's assassination from happening, who would you choose and why? Keep in mind that the world you are coming back to will not be the same because of your actions.

4. Would you rather spend five years with the love of your life and then die, fully content, or live a full lifetime without ever experiencing love?

5. How did you feel about the ending of "The Sopranos" and how would you have ended the show? You may ask a neighbor or the test facilitator if you are unfamiliar with the show.

6. Define success.

7. You and your 18-year-old son are traveling in a foreign country. You are going through Customs when the inspectors find a high-potency illegal drug in your son's suitcase. He has been in trouble with this drug before. However, in this country, the fine for possession and smuggling is much steeper and your son will spend a long time in prison. Do you cover for your son and take the rap or let him suffer the consequences, knowing this may well be the last time you ever see him?

(OOC notes: First of all, even though your character is suffering from a case of amnesia, assume he still has the ability to answer Question #5. Secondly, orders-givers may answer however many or little questions they want to, in any order, but the game will not progress until all questions have been answered.)

[Stildawn]

Oh god this is going to take us an age to answer with our split personality. lol

[GeneralHankerchief]

Oh god this is going to take us an age to answer with our split personality. lol

Consider yourself lucky; I originally had this sucker at 20 questions before cutting it down.

[Stildawn]

You answer number 6 first....

Success: an event that accomplishes its intended purpose