Alison Drinks Alone

Scene 1: Waiting at the Bar

You've walked into the bar at the LARP convention. It's Saturday night, so the bar is packed, with regulars from the area, a few people still in costume from their afternoon game, and Alison, sitting quietly by herself in a corner. She's in a comfortable leather seat, with open seats on both sides. A single warm lantern light creates a pool of golden light around her.

She's just finished the first run of her new LARP: Consensual Pirate Sexy Throne Time Games. It's hard to tell how she's feeling. She looks like she's in that zone authors get into when the run of their game works, people have had fun, and the flaws are easily fixed for run #2. Or, maybe she's just more than tired after running so many games, and needs a good stiff drink or three before she can process what's just happened. Maybe she just wants solitude.

Through the open doorway, you can see people in the hallway, dressed to the hilt, rushing to their Saturday evening LARPs.

The bar is slammed. You've placed your order, and you've also decided on an appetizer, because it might just have to do for dinner. The bartender has asked that you stay at the bar until your food and drink are ready, and it really won't be more than five or ten minutes. They'll be back in a couple minutes to run your credit card, so just stay put.

You've heard that Alison has sworn all her Consensual Pirate Sexy Throne Time Games players to secrecy. As if that ever works. You've also heard that there's a brilliantly clever new mechanic in the game.

There are five of you here. You're all friends. You have a lot to talk about. In the end, after talking, decide: Do you think Alison wants company? Who's going to sit with Alison when their food and drink are ready? Who's going to leave Alison to her quiet time?