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You wake up this morning with a heavy sigh. It's the beginning of Week 4 of your self-isolation to keep yourself and others safe from the transmission of the deadly [[COVID-19 virus]]. Your roommate went out for the day, probably to go grocery shopping since it's that time of the week. After a lonely breakfast, you decide to give your [[best friend]] a call. They always know how to cheer you up.

"COVID-19" or "coronavirus" has become a very familiar part of your daily life. You hear about it on the news, from your family, and amongst friends - making the virus inescapable at this point even though you do not have it. Although there is a lot of fake news surrounding the coronavirus, you know a couple of things as fact: 1)the coronavirus is an international pandemic that took the world by storm in the last few months, 2)thousands of people have died and the virus does not seem to discriminate, and 3) no one truly knows when this will all be over. [[Continue|Begin Here]]

Your best friend seems happy to hear from you, it's been a while since you two have caught up. They tell you about this new, nailing biting reality TV show they've been watching on Netflix (something about tigers...) and you proudly share your small (but still meaningful!) attempts to get some exercise. However, while you two chat, you begin to realize your friend sounds a little down. Do you: [[Ask them what's wrong|ask them what's wrong]] [[Brush it off as nothing]]

Your friend seems to hesistate before stating that next week is their birthday, and so they've been feeling down because they can't have the birthday extravaganza they have been planning for months. You share your sympathy and make a half-hearted joke about being there in spirit. Your friend thanks you with a bitter laugh. After a few more awkward exchanges, you two decide to say your goodbyes. After staring at the picture of your friend on your caller ID screen, you stand up and decide enough is enough. You change your four day old outfit, grab a piece of paper and pen, and decide that you will lift your best friend's spirits with a [[surprise birthday party]]!!!

It's been exactly 24 hours since you accepted the mission to save your best friend's birthday by throwing a surprise party. So far, you've decided to make the party via Zoom, a video conferenceing service that now encompasses most of your social and work life. Although this is the only detail of your plan you have so far, it is an extremely important one indeed so you are content with your progress. However, with your best friend's birthday rapiding approaching, you realize you need to pick up the pace. Perhaps you can enlist [[a friend]] to help you! Nodding in assurance, you pick up [[your phone to call]].

Some friends that come to mind: Jenni Jenni is a party girl at heart. You met Jenni at your first "real" party after high school when she tossed you a beer and told you to loosen up. Although she can be a bit...crazy she's responsible and caring, with a great sense of humor. Exhibit A of course would be the way she dilligiantly cares for her customers as a fiesty Starbucks barista. Ray Ray is one of those friends you look up to because of how focused he is. He's a tech student that went to high school with you and although he speaks incoherent computer babble most of the time, you know he means well. He's also your best movie going buddy because his hilarious commentary and vast knowledge of fantasy lore. John and Joana You recently met this sibiling duo at a music festival in your community. They are aspiring musicians that bring a tear to your eye everytime they perform. They may not be hitting every note perfectly, but you can't help but be proud of the passion they put into their work. They're good people with infectious energy. [[Continue|surprise birthday party]]

Who do you decide to call? [[No one]] [[Jenni]] [[Ray]] [[John and Joana]]

After thinking about it, you decided against recruiting some friends. You still have four whole days and you know your best friend well enough. Now first, what to do about [[decorations]]. <<set $Jenni to false>> <<set $Ray to false>> <<set $John to false>>

Jenni picks up immediantly and is ecstatic to hear from you. As you brief her on your surprise birthday plan, you have to pull your phone from your ear because of how much Jenni is shrieking in excitement (turns out more people are down about the coronavirus than you expected). After chatting for about an hour decide, you two decide that Jenni will handle the activities and decor while you will handle inviting guests and food. You start with the first goal, which is to [[invite guests]]. <<set $Jenni to true>> <<set $Ray to false>> <<set $John to false>>

You call Ray but he does not pick up. He's probably in class so you decide to call later. When you call in a few hours, Ray picks up and apoligizes for missing your call - turns out your hunch was correct. You brief Ray on your surprise birthday plan and he seems intrigued. Ray accepts with enthusiasm and after chatting for about an hour, you two decide on a plan. Ray will handle activities and food while you will handle decor and inviting guests. You start with your first goal, which is to come up with [[decorations]]. <<set $Ray to true>> <<set $Jenni to false>> <<set $John to false>>

You call Joana and she seems relieved to hear from you. She sounds a bit tired and you ask her what's wrong. There's a bit of silience before Joana reveals that her and John's mother contracted the coronavirus while working at their local hospital, so they've been working hard to take care of her. You're shocked by this news and before you can do anything, Joana encourages you [[not to worry]]. <<set $John to true>> <<set $Jenni to false>> <<set $Ray to false>>

The wild decor is what makes your best friend's parties memorable - you'll never forget their Sesame Street themed fifth birthday with real life size characters that made that one kid wet his pants because he was so scared! You may not have the venue space or budget, but you still want to make it awesome! Do you [[Go to the convience store]] [[Pull out old costumes]] [[Make paper cut outs]]

Although it is probably best to stay home, you figure it's a quick 20 minute walk. Perhaps the fresh air will do you some good. You grab your [[make shift mask]] and [[head out the door]].

It may be the beginning of spring but anything out of the ordinary will be fine for you best friend - so let's go with a costume theme! You pull out a your old halloween costume buried in the back of the closet. While you're sifting through the closet you find a pack of water balloons and have a devious idea... When your roommate returns, you declare that their costume will be a bag of life size jelly beans, inspired by water ballons and a ridulous DIY constume you saw on some social media site the other day. Your roommate is resistant but they'll come around...eventually. <<set $costume to true>> <<set $craft to false>> <<if $Ray is true>> Now your focus is to [[invite guests]]! <<elseif $John is true>> Your part is done! Time to [[check in with John and Joana]] to discuss final plans! <<else>>Time to think about [[food]]! <</if>>

You decide to make your own decorations - perfect since you have a bunch of craft material left from some unfinished projects. You grab your materials, pull up Pinterest, and get straight to work. Several hours later, your background for the Zoom party is done - comeplete with a "Happy Birthday" Banner, streamers, and pictures of the memories you two shared together! You keep the set up in the corner so that it's ready for the party in a couple of days. <<set $craft to true>> <<set $costume to false>> <<if $Ray is true>> Now your focus is to [[invite guests]]! <<elseif $John is true>> Your part is done! Now time to [[check in with John and Joana]] to discuss final plans! <<else>> Now that the decor is complete, time to think about [[food]]! <</if>>

The CDC recently recommended that all people wear cloth face coverings in public settings, especially in places where maintaining six feet of social distancing is difficult. Fortunately, the CDC has a quick and easy way to make suitable cloth face masks out of shirts and rubber bands on their website. Making yours took no time at all! [[Continue|Go to the convience store]]

Your walk to the convience store is nice. The sun is warm on your skin and the birds are chirping happily. Few people seem to be out so you can maintain a comfortable six feet apart from others. Unfortunately, when you get to the store, you see the "Closed" sign. Suddenly, you remember that you heard in the news that your local convience closed when one of the employees tested positive for the virus. Darn! Well, this is a minor mishap but at least you could appreciate the walk. Looks like it's back to the [[drawing board]].

The date of the party is rapidly approaching so it's time to think about food. Every good party has good food! Some things you consider include how you're going to get guests on the same page with food, how much it will cost, and what you can get your hands on during this hectic time. You sit back as you wrestle between [[take out]] and [[making a dish at home]].

Unfortunately COVID-19 has impacted a lot of restaurants, making your options extremely limited. While it is great that many take-out services are practicing [[no contact delivery]] services, you have few options after you refresh your Postmates app a dozen times. Even though you will order your food in a couple of days, you want to be prepared. You stare at your choices: [[McDonald's]] [[Taco Bell]]

Well since this is a birthday party, making a cake seems like the best choice! Fortunately, your roommate just went to the store so you are all stocked up on ingredients. As you scroll through recipes online, you become exetremely overwhelmed. All the recipes seem complicated and you don't have time to mess up. Just then your roommate walks by. You want to ask for help but you're nervous about your roommate judging you for not being able to make a cake. Do you: [[Ask for help anyway]] [[Go solo]] <<set $cake to true>> <<set $mcdonalds to false>> <<set $tacobell to false>>

You haven't have McDonald's in awhile so why not go with it!? It's cheap and should be convenient for most people. <<set $mcdonalds to true>> <<set $tacobell to false>> <<set $cake to false>> <<if $Jenni is true>> According to Jenni, McDonald's is also good hangover food so it's a win-win! Now that the food plans are done, you [[check in with Jenni]] to discuss the final plans. <<elseif $John is true>> Now that the food plans are set, time to jazz up the place with [[decorations]]. <<else>> Speaking of most people, it's time to [[invite guests]]! <</if>>

It just so happens that your best friend's birthday is on Taco Tuesday!! Woohoo! That'll definitely motivate people to come! <<set $tacobell to true>> <<set $mcdonalds to false>> <<set $cake to false>> <<if $Jenni is true>> Now that the food plans are done, you [[check in with Jenni]] to discuss the final plans. <<elseif $John is true>> Now that the food plans are set, time time to Jazz up the place with [[decorations]]. <<else>>Speaking of people, it's time to [[invite guests]]! <</if>>

The guests definitely set the tone of the party so this decision is important, especially since this party is quite experimental as it will be entirely online. Do you [[Invite a large group of friends]] [[Invite a small group of friends]]

Your roommate sees that you're struggling a bit and lends you a hand. You two end up making the cake together. Despite having a couple of minor mishaps along the way (you may have went at beating the batter a little too hard and you had to hold your roommate back from eating all the icing), but you two laughed the whole way through and became closer. <<if $Jenni is true>> Now that the food situation is resolved, it's time to [[check in with Jenni]] to discuss the final plans. <<elseif $John is true>> Now that the food plans are set, time to jazz up the place with [[decorations]]. <<else>>Now that the food situation is resolved, it's time to [[invite guests]]. <</if>>

The more the merrier! Your best friend has been feeling down because of the lack of socialization so seeing that so many people love and care about them will probably bring a smile to their face. You send a mass text to about 20 or so friends detailing the time and details of the party. Most people seem down to party and are greatly intrigued by the idea a virtual party. Unfortunately, because of timezone issues and other obligations, not everyone can make it but they send their best wishes and promise to pop in if they can. <<set $large to true>> <<set $small to false>> <<if $Jenni is true>> Now it's time to think about [[food]]! <<elseif $Ray is true>> Now that you've done your part, you [[check in with Ray]] to discuss the final plans. <<else>> After days of planning, the day in question finally [[arrives]]. <</if>>

It's probably best to stick to a small group. There's a lower risk of the surprise being spoiled and perhaps your conversations can be more personal and intimate. You send a mass text to five or so people. Unfortunately two people can not make it because of time zome issues and important obligations. They send their best wishes though and one of them even said that they'll try and drop in after work! <<if $Jenni is true>> Now it's time to think about [[food]]! <<elseif $Ray is true>> Now that you've done your part, you [[check in with Ray]] to discuss the final plans. <<else>> After days of planning, the day in question fianlly [[arrives]]. <</if>> <<set $small to true>> <<set $large to false>>

Today's the day! The decorations are up, the food plans are set, and all the guests are here chatting amongst themselves on Zoom. You announce that you're about to call your best friend and everyone becomes silent. You urge people to hide: some under desks, others behind curtains - one even grabs their cat to move her out of frame. You chuckle at how invested everyone. You look at all vacant screens on your Zoom pages before you text your friend the Zoom code, telling them to join quickly because it's urgent.. Your heart skips a beat when you hear the familiar Zoom chime and are face-to-face with your best friend's face. [[Continue|count]]

Joana explains that their mother is doing well and is almost finished with her [[strict self-quarantine]]. She then thanks you for calling, mentioning that she hasn't caught up with any of her friends in awhile. When you brief her on your surprise party idea, she becomes ecstatic and exclaims that her and John would love to help with the party. After chatting for about an hour, the plans are set: Joana and John will handle the activities and inviting guests while you handle the food and decor. You start with your first goal, which is to to make the [[food]] plans.

If one is diagnosed with COVID-19, the CDC recommends that they seperate themselves from others by saying in a "sick room." Along with this, they should stay in touch with their doctors, rest as often as possible, wash their hands frequently (something the CDC recommends those not sick do as well), and more. The CDC website has a list of guidelines of how to discontinue home isolation after a certain amount of time. [[Continue|not to worry]]

You and Jenni reconvene a couple of days before the party. Jenni shares that, for decor, she wants everyone to have the ulimate Honolulu exprience, complete with Tiki decor, windy beach vibes, and of course Hawaiian cocktails. You question how Jenni will pull this off with all your guests being in different places and trapped inside but she just snickers and tells you not to question her madness. You shrug it off and send her the guest list. Within the blink of an eye, the day of the party [[arrives]]. <<set $craft to false>> <<set $costume to false>>

A few days before the party, you call Ray to finalize the plans. Ray shares that his idea is to have a movie night with tacos for Taco Tuesday (you had no idea how much Ray loves tacos up until this!). For watching the movies, he'll tell all the guests to get the Netflix Party extension so everyone can watch and comment at the same time. He also has a line up of some of the most legendary movies out there so they're bond to be a hit! It looks like you all are ready to go! Within a blink of an eye, the day of the party [[arrives]]. <<set $tacobell to true>> <<set $mcdonalds to false>> <<set $cake to false>>

A couple of days before the party, you call John and Joana. You ask about their mother, and fortunately, she is getting better. Next, they tell you that they invited about 20 people and decided they would throw a concert as the activity...okay, not what you expected but you're sure your friend will appreciate the gesture. And just like that, the day of the party [[arrives]]. <<set $large to true>> <<set $small to false>>

<<audio song play>> "SURPRISE!" <<if $large is true>> you all yell before your best friend can figure out what's going on. They jump back in sheer terror, followed by falling off the chair. Everyone starts [[laughing hysterically]]. <<else>> you all yell before your friend can ask what's going on. They jump up in fear before [[laughing hysterically]]. <</if>>

Once your friend has recovered, you see them become teary eyed. Everyone asks what's wrong and you become worried for a second. Did you make the right choice? Was the risk worth it? No need to worry as your friend assures everyone that they're fine. They are just overjoyed that so many people came together to wish them a happy birthday. <<if $John is true>> John and Joana begin to sing a lovely duet and brings a tear to some guests eyes (they aren't hitting every note but the passion is still beautiful!). Their mother is also in the background singing along, bringing a smile to your face. They sing a few verses before everyone else catches on and chimes in. <<elseif $Ray is true>> Once everyone settles, Ray announces the movie plans. Ray starts the movie and everyone is so engaged they don't move to eat. There's a bit of buffering here and there but overall everyone manages alright. Afterwards.. <</if>> <<if $cake is true>> You pull the cake you and your roommate made into frame and everyone sings happy birthday. As everyone sings, you marvel at everyone's own cakey creations and are glad you all could be [[together]] in this way. <<else>> Time to [[chow]]!! <</if>>

Once everyone settles down, they begin chatting together. You smile as you master plan unfolds beautifully. Somehow, the conversation moves fluidly as people take turning chatting about random topics. <<if $Jenni is true>> Now you have time to see how Jenni incorperated her crazy Hawaiian themed party idea. Almost everyone has a fringy grass hat made out of green paper and paper flower cutouts. Jenni must have sent everyone instructions the day before! In addition everyone has a beach picture back drop for their screen (what a cool Zoom feauture!) so it really feels like everyone's outside! Lastly, as promised, everyone has some sort of cocktail and gets riled. A couple of hours later, things start to [[wind down]]. <<else>> <</if>> <<if $craft is true>> You sit back and admire everyone's great attempts at DIY birthday decor for their backdrops. After hours of laughter and conversation, things start to [[wind down]]. <</if>> <<if $costume is true>> Your roommate suddenly pulls you over for a [[quick chat]]. <</if>>

<<if $mcdonalds is true>> Everyone pulls out their favorite fast foods they were able to get their hands on. Even though everyone is in a different place, it feels like you're all at Thankisgiving dinner together. Luckily, you thought ahead and ordered food for your best friend via Postmates. As if on cue, their door bell rings and within a few minutes, you're all chowing down [[together]]. <<else>> "Taco Tuesday!" someone shouts and everyone begins to chow down on tacos. Even though everyone is in a different place, it feels like you're all at Thankisgiving dinner together. Luckily, you thought ahead and ordered food for your best friend via Postmates. As if on cue, their doorbell rings and within a few minutes, you're all chowing down [[together]]. <</if>>

Once everyone logs out, it's only you and your best friend left. They thank you again for such a fun time and is grateful they could celebrate their birthday, despite the looming pandemic. Even though you're living in a time of a lot of uncertainty and isolation, you both learn that your friendship allows you to not feel truly isolated. This will definitely go down in the books as a party to remember. [[The End]]

Your roommate stares at you with their ridiculous life-size jelly bean costume fit with a large plastic garbage bag with filled up water balloons to be the "jelly beans." You encourage them to show themself on camera. Do you [[Give your roommate a break]] [[Force your roommate into frame]]

Your roommate thanks you graciously before scurrying into another room, water balloons dropping and popping in the process, making a mess. You'll probably have to clean that up later... You turn back to your virtual party. After a couple of hours, the conversations begin to [[wind down]].

You pull your reluctant roommate into frame and everyone starts laughing. They talk about how awesome it is that you two went all. Your best friend is especially amazed, and thanks you for putting this all together. Your roommate moans and groans a bit but smiles went you give them a wink. After hours of laughter and conversation, the party begins to [[wind down]].

Thank you for playing! The purpose of "A Party to Remember" was to increase awareness of COVID-19 by showing that it does not have to be a time of complete isolation, desperation, and fear. While it is true that there is a lot we don't know, I truly believe we have more control than we realize. For example, we can decide how we spend our time and who we spend our time with, even if it can not be in-person. I encourage you to play again to learn more about the coronavirus through different paths as well as other ways you can spend your time not thinking about the virus. Stay safe and remember to wash your hands frequently! [[Play Again|Start]]

A Party to Remember by Maxine Smith <img src="image/title.jpg" height=300px; width:200% /> [[Begin Here|start 2]]

To reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, many food delivery services enacted a "non-contact delivery" option, which means that the worker delivering your meal will leave it at your door as opposed to giving it to you in person. This is a great alternative to receiving your food in person, especially since maintaining social distancing is difficult if someone has to hand you your food. [[Continue|take out]]

You decide it's probably nothing and you two continue to chat. Once the conversation ends and two have nothing else to say, you hang up. You coninue on with what you had planned for the day. [[Tomorrow|Begin Here]] rolls around.

[[Two]]

[[Three]]

[[One!|surprise]]

<<cacheaudio "song" "music/party.mp3">>

You decide to muscle through it anyway and things go...not well. By the end of the day the kitchen is a mess and your "cake" doesn't look presentable for the party. Perhaps [[take out]] would be better at this point.

Quick Note: This game has no concrete rules other than play as if you were actually in the scenarios presented. You will have to click extra links for context. Have fun! [[Begin Here]]