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[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As It Was by Angela N. James"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leslie darted out of the car before it was parked into the cabin fuming that he was not able to stay in the city with all the upcoming events he had planned with his friends. Leslie was beginning to drift away from the family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His mother thought it best for him to have some time away from the city and his friend, from all the bad influences to rediscover who he is as an individual.\n\nAbigail knew it was going to be hard for her trying to\n\nconvince her son that the path that he was taking was the path of destruction."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She wanted him to know that he is an individual and not the mirror image of what his friends thought but it was hard for her to get inside of her son's head while he was still in the city competing with the demands of his friends."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She remembered when he was much younger coming up to the cabin; he loved it here. He loved going swimming and fishing with his dad when he was alive."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To her it seemed like it was okay a few years after his father's death but instead of confiding in her, he seemed to take refuge and confide with his friends who were staring him the wrong way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Abigail has seen so many parents in the community making the 6 o’clock News because their children were no longer with them because of gun violence. Being terrified, she decided to be proactive and take him to the cabin."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was going to be the longest week of her life but she was still hopeful that Leslie would be broken enough not to continue on the path that he was heading. He struggled with the groceries from the car when Leslie came out of the cabin like a whirlwind yelling at her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Did you even check to see if there was electricity here? And if there's no electricity what about the internet? And my phone doesn't even work.\n\nWhat is the sudden interest in having me in your life when all these months since dad’s\n\ndeath you have been buried in your books pursuing your happiness without me?\n\n“Please come and help me with the grocery then we can talk after supper.” “I am not staying up here with you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Leslie, this is for your good. This is for our good we need to reconnect like we used to. Please come and help me with the grocery . so you knew all along that there was no electricity in the cabin? I did not know there was not any electricity in the cabin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Didn't you see me go buying fresh meat and milk for the refrigerator? Had I\n\nknown that I would not have spent my money and things that would go bad. Stop being hysterical. I need for you to be strong this time."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“I'm going for a walk.” “Why are you being so difficult? “Because you didn't give me any choice in the matter. There has to be a better way in getting my attention mom."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can't just decided to put my back against the wall expecting me to give you my undivided attention when you too had buried yourself in things that pleases you while I had to find ways in dealing with dad's death and you don't see me forcing your hand in dealing with the issue, then why are you doing this to me? “I will call the electrician in the morning.” “Can we not stay out here for the entire week."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will give you the weekend. “When\n\nhas it been this difficult for us to spend time together as we used to be together at this very cabin."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I remember your dad going away on business trips and we would be here with a faulty electrical system and you did not become this hysterical.” Leslie slowly dragged himself to a car and took two of the grocery bags from his mom and took you to the cabin.\n\nTrying to lift his spirit,\n\n“the sunsets are beautiful here."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you remember us going down by the lake just to look at the sun set? You used to love it.” “I still do love the sunset but that does not change how I feel about coming here.” “I bought some books from the library that you always love reading."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We can read together.” “For crying out loud mom come on Let It Go!\n\nNo TV, no Sports! and no entertainment. Just us and the woods and all the wild creatures that might be running around\n\nout there. You seriously did not think this through."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“We need to have a serious discussion about where I see your life is heading and if we had stayed in the city you would not have listened.” “Deciding to kidnap me and bringing me here without being transparent to me should make all this go away? what about the part you play in me pulling away from you mom? “You know I have tried on many occasions to talk to you but there's always an event or something that involves your\n\nfriends."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I've seen you lose friends to gun violence and I'm terrified that if I don't get your attention I will be one of those parents on the 6 o’clock News morning for her child and pleading to the community to come forward with evidence of what your killer is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don't want to be searching for a killer who has murdered my son. I want my son to live and live a good life."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You said I've buried myself in books but what I've been trying to do is to get a better job so that we can move out of that Community\n\nthat has taken the life of so many young men your age so forgive me if I have not been doing such a good job multitasking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am doing my best and I realized that it is not good enough until I can get you to\n\nbe on board with me.” “And once again you have decided on something that would affect my life drastically without asking me what I think about your decision. Moving out of the community will not help me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's the community with all the memories of the things that I've done with dad."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The community reminds me of the good times with my father and\n\nfor you to decide that you're going to remove me from a place that is filled with his memory is very selfish.” “I need to cook these meats since we don't have any electricity."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Your father was a wise man when he decided to put in a gas stove. look over there for your grandmother's recipe for cookies or cake; we have to use up the milk I have as much eggs as we can.” “Will they not all go bad eventually? “You might have gotten your wish."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since there's no electricity here, our stay is as limited as long as the food will last.” “Mom you've made your point; you've got my attention. Now, can we just go back home? “You said the city is a place filled with your father's memory and you would prefer to remain in that community."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have you forgotten that the cabin is also filled with your father's memory and all the good things you date with him here? “You promise, when all the food is finished we go."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“With that said, I am holding you to your word that you will not go into town to stock up on supplies.” “You have my word son.” “ And you got my attention.” “So, what do you think about the idea of us leaving the city but in close proximity where you can still hang out with your friends? “If it gets me into a better school, I'm open for it.” “Let's get the fire going."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's cold inside here. You do all the baking now do the roasting broiling and all that jazz.” “Do we still have that recipe? He was not much of a baker but he had ambition.” “He sure did son, he sure did. There was no shame in his game.”."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Apple Pickers"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": ""
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Alex Ramirez Apple Pickers One day on a sunny afternoon a kid named Bill went to school in a very happy mood because a special toy his mother has gotten for him has finally come in it is called the “Robot Blaster.” On the way to school in the early morning Bill sat in the backseat fidgeting with the toy like his life depended on it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His mother said” Billy are you having fun back there?”\n\nBilly replied” Yes mom but this toy is just so cool looking and amazing to play with.” They approved the school zone where it says slow down and Billy knew he got to see his best friend very soon.\n\nWhen Billy got out of the car he sat there and thought to himself about being one step closer to being a teenager as he was in 4th grade this year.\n\nHe Walked into the school and locked eyes with his best friend Erick “ said Bill is that really you, I haven’t seen you in a while”\n\nBill replied with “Yep, it's me and I feel like a toddler still so I don't grow or change that much.”\n\nBill and Erick were both part of the cool kids group."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I mean they did everything together in school such as sit by each other, get in trouble together, and even swing together at recess and you never knew if that was a bad or good thing.\n\nThe next day at school a really cute girl came up to them and said” Hey there boys My name is Addison and I am the one and only girl president of STUCCO and sounds very weird but this weekend we are going apple picking and we would like you two to join us.”\n\nBill seemed a little hesitant because he has really never been around girls that much except his mom but Erick “ said yes we will go” as fast as his lips could move and Addison said “ Great be here on Saturday Bus leaves at 2:30 P.M."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For the rest of the day Bill stayed quiet because he was trying to prepare himself to be on the bus because the teachers were not the best to him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Wednesday comes around and Bill started getting picked on by this fat and ugly sixth grader named Rob.\n\nRob told him to go to the restrooms at 3:00 because they were going to fight just because Rob wanted too and no teacher could stop it because it was in the bathrooms and they wouldn't know it was going on.\n\nRob was sick that day so Bill was out of luck.\n\nAs 3:00 came all of the boys were crowded up in the bathroom with all of their phones out none of them really thought that Bill would show up because you could tell Bill was really scared.\n\nHe went into the bathroom and everyone started cheering because they knew that the fight was going to happen well turns out it wasn’t a fight it was more like a wrestling match because they really didn’t know how to fight.\n\nThey wrestled around for about 3 minutes and they finally gave up because they knew they weren’t going to get anything out of this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Billy went back home to his mom with a couple bumps and bruises His mom said” Oh my god what happened?”\n\nBilly lied because if he told her then Rob would be really trying to go after him so he lied and said” Mom I just fell down some of the stairs” she was still worried and made him sit down and ice the whole night and he had to ice Thursday too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As Friday came around everyone that was going to pick apples was happy because it was their first field trip of the year.\n\nBilly asked Erick” Aren’t you excited? we are finally going somewhere together.” Erick was kind of pumped just they were a little nervous about all of the girls that were going.\n\nThey both went home and knew they had to pack snacks and everything they both spent up until dinner time about what they wanted to pack for this trip.\n\nAs the night came quickly around they started doing their night routine before it was their bedtime they both had the jittery feeling about going that they couldn’t sleep for a while but they eventually fell asleep."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The day that they have been waiting for Saturday morning came they spring out of their bed and run downstairs to eat breakfast and start their morning and their mom said “ Bill you have to do all of your stuff that you do in the morning.” when Bill got to the school the bus was getting ready to leave so he was late.\n\nHe quickly ran and got on the bus and Erick was already waiting for him in the back.\n\nErick jumped up in joy as he saw his best friend soon enough they were on their way."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once they got there they both jumped out and the teacher said” Erick, Bill you need to calm down and wait for the rest of us.” they finally got to the tree and started picking those red juicy apples."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They had finally filled their big tub that they had and started to walk back when Addison said ``You guys are already done helping us, we aren’t even half way.” they started helping them as they saw that the girls had a hole in their bucket that's why all the apples were falling out or they would’ve had a full bucket by now so they had to find some tape to tape up the bottom and they filled it up again."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They all started walking back with the buckets and there was an anaconda\n\nright there in the front of the group that was staring into their soul.\n\nBut the snake was no threat they waited there for 5 minutes while it past and all the kids have fun and none got hurt as they returned home to tell their parents the funny story that had happened.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "My Fleeting Heart"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The knots in my stomach are so strong today that I am crouching over when I walk. My stomach hurts so bad, I am riddled with anxiety. I think I might throw up. I make my way to the bathroom mirror. Look at you yourself . Are you sure this is what you want? I ask myself . Yes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know this is what I want- what I wish is that it were easy. But who would I end up if my dreams came easy? I think I’ll take a hot shower to calm down, have some water, and just take some deep breaths to try and relax. After my shower I lay in bed in the towel."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My skin feels hot from the shower, but it feels good. I close my eyes. Breath. This is YOUR life. Do not allow yourself to feel this type of fear over someone else’s disapproval? At the end of the day, its you, and one day your partner and yalls children."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "At the end of the day you must go to bed happy with yourself! If you want any peace at all, you must have some bravery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Bravery to choose what is best for YOU, what will make YOU the make happy, what serves YOU? You are the only one who will be in your life for your entire life! You have the strength in you, now its time to challenge it! Oh, what time is it? Dawn. I fell asleep."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve been so exhausted with talking myself up to doing this. I’ll go check on the animals. Its warms outside with a soft cold breeze. The sky Is beautiful and the air smells like sun flowers in a pale fog, and a distant campfire. “Nanner?” Ma calls out, “come on hunny, I made dinner”."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Coming, Ma”, I grab a few fresh eggs from the coop before walking in. They’re still warm . Chills . I’m instantly apparent to how chilly it is once I cuffed the warm egg in my palm. I hurry in the house. Mmm. It smells like broth; Ma must’ve made stew. Well, now’s the time , I think to myself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ma? “Paw?” I have an announcement”, I stare at them. My mouth is dry but they aren’t even looking at me or phased at all. “Okay, suga buga what’s that?”, Paw asks me. Here goes. “I don’t want to continue the Haliburtons Vet and Animal Rehab Center."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want to move to New York and study art at Juilliard”, I spat out. Paw chuckles. Ma dismisses my dreams with, “Hunny its good to dream big, but you know what is better? Stability and legacy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Halliburton’s Vet has been this town’s only animal clinic for 84 years! It can’t just stop running- What will happen to all the animals?” “My acceptance letter came in yesterday and I got a full ride scholarship”, I say with a straight face. I instantly have their attention now."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Paws fork dropped on his plate while him and Ma just stare at me with open mouths. I don’t even think they’re blinking. “Ma, Paw- I’m sorry but I don’t want to continue the family legacy, I want to start my own legacy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is what I want, please try, and find support for me in your hearts! And besides Aunt Joys youngest son loves animals, maybe he can be the one to carry on the legacy in a few years when he gets older! It doesn’t have to end, and Ill train any of my cousins in the family to take over my job when I move”, I assure them."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well”, Paw says, “congratulations?” Ma quietly agrees and we spend the rest of the dinner in silence. I guess I’m going to bed disappointed tonight. I knew they would be let down and maybe even ashamed, but I still had a little glimmer of hope that maybe they could understand me and support me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But no matter what, I promised myself that I would remain loyal to my dreams because if not, my life and my happiness will suffer. I know if their love is unconditional they will come around to see that I need this opportunity. Its morning. I smell blueberries and brown sugar, coffee, eggs, and more."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I find myself following my noses’ lead to the kitchen. Ma’s cooking something good! It’s been a few days since I spilled the news, and she has hardly spoken to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So, I’m surprised when she turns around from the stovetop to look at my sleepy self and say, “Oh good hunny, you’re up! I made you breakfast”! “Hm?”, I ask, “Ma you’re not mad at me anymore?” I ask, hopeful to hear a “no”."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Baby”, she says while bringing me a huge plate of blueberry pancakes, “I was never mad at you”, she rubs my head, “I was jealous of you!” “Huh? Jealous?” I asked, confused."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Yeah baby, I was jealous you had the courage to make your own dreams come true! You took charge of your own life, that is amazing! I wish I had the confidence to do that when I was your age. And I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive at first."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m excited for you, but I’m also nervous to see you move so far from your Paw and me”."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh Ma, I’ll come visit every holiday, you and Paw can come whenever you want, I’ll miss you both so much too, but I have to do this and I promise we’ll see each other and talk often! Thank you so much Ma for understanding, I love you! I’m so happy you were able to give me your blessing and support, that means the world to me”, I assure her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We smile and hug. Ma cries a little bit while we break away from our hug, she shoos me away to reassure me she’s okay, they’re just mom tears. Paw comes in the kitchen, “what smells so damn good?” We laugh and all join each other at the table. These pancakes are so delicious!."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Under the Willow Tree"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Phoebe Tucker pulled her long blond hair into a tight pony tail - the morning promised nice hot weather, perfect for fixing up her new yard of the bungalow hobby farm she had just purchased along with several animals and two horses she wanted to train and show at the local fairs soon."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Phoebe had dreamed of her own hobby farm and finally here she was, very ecstatic, the excitement in her blood energizing as she went to the barn. It was early, the sun had just risen over the Montana skies, pinks and orange hues of beauty, the air smelled of farmland and warm summer breezes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Phoebe began by sweeping the barn, then watering and giving her horses their morning mix of grain, listening to them munching in their stall pails. She then took each one out, on a lead rope, and let them loose in the small corral - she would work them after her chores were done."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Butch, her border collie began to bark suddenly, Phoebe went outside to see what was going on to make him excited, he was a great watchdog, and her best friend. \"How do you do ma'am, my name is Randy Orsen and i live next door, the yellow house down the road."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wondering if you need a handyman or anything i would be much obliged.\" and he took off his dirty cowboy hat, revealing thick wavy hair and big brown eyes. He was quite handsome she pondered, her heart skipped a beat."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"Well, i just moved here and have a lot of chores to do, if you dont mind working half days and low pay? I would give you lunch too providing you do your work well enough.\" She added, leaning on her pitch fork. \"Ok, i dont mind any kind of work at all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I got my truck and will come by first thing tomorrow? Own my own tools too i might add, so no need to borrow any. \" He proudly said, nice white teeth glistening at her, his tall stance towering over her smaller heighted body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She stood up straight then, as if to prove she had to look taller than she was, well, what would she want with a farmer's hand anyway? She came here to escape the heart aches of romance from the city, and needed to focus on her and her animals."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No way she would go for a ranch bloke even though he was drop dead gorgeous. And so, the next morning, he showed up as he said he would, and on time too."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Phoebe told him she had to go to town to get supplies, he offered to go for her, knowing how the people were used to him and he could get a better deal than her at the co-ops. \"It would be good for me though to meet them, i like to know who lives here and what's going on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sorry, i can go myself.\" She answered back, not wanting to act like she couldnt handle her own affairs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"Don't say i didnt warn you, they like to take advantage of the newbies around here and charge more than they do the locals, its a bit of a gag with them.\" He chuckled, rubbing his chin in an absurdly arrogant way. Like he was warning her of danger or something else, she wondered studying him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She remained adamant about her independance and scoffed off to town anyway. The day grew warm as promised earlier, the haze now over the mountains hovering in hot dry weather."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Phoebe made a nice pitcher of lemonade and ham sandwhiches with salad and waved to Randy to join her on the weathered veranda that also needed a new paint job."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Randy drank the lemonade she offered right away, thirsty and then grabbed at the sandwhiches she placed in front of him, my goodness, he seemed like he hadnt eaten in days, and now as she did notice he was on the thin side. \"So are you from around here?\" She asked just for conversatin sake."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"Nope, around everywhere, born in Nevada though. Came here five years ago stayed ever since.\" He said after his last swallow of food."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "he noticed how pretty she was, but he doubted a city girl like him would be his type, no way, he wanted a woman that could handle the rough country of Montana, a \"real\" farmer's wife, this gal was high maintenance, even down to her manicure, well the one she had last back at the spa at home."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Phoebe left the law firm and bought the ranch, after an arduous case she had lost for a client went awry. The case had gone on for months, an attempted murder trial, the evidence lacking in submissability and was eventually thrown out, her life threatened."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She had been thinking about the farm life before that however, but at the loss of the trial and threats she went ahead and bought this. \"I know a place down by the creek you can go for a swim or try and catch a catfish or two.\" He suggested, getting up to get ready to leave for home."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He would have preferred full time hours, he thought, the pay here would hardly make his own bills met. \"Catfish eating is decent.\" He added, hardly thinking she would want to go fishing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "\"I might take you up on that if you're offering to assist me in the right direction? I hardly know where to find any place like that here, i just moved in after all.\" She reminded him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So, the following weeks they spent working in the mornings, and he did his job well, mending this, fixing that, painting her veranda too, a nice white paint that gave it a look that was inviting, and she added the flower hangers filled with wildflowers and impatients, her little farm was starting to look like home."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After he left, she worked her horses, and by the end of the day she was so tired and sore all she wanted was supper and a soak in the big giant old fashioned iron legged bath tub. Then one fine hot day, he suggested they go for a swim."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"The weather is fine enough - you look like you can use some cooling off too.\" He smiled at her, she had already gotten stronger looking and brown from the sun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Little splashes of freckles dusted her nose and face too, he thought she was adorable, he liked her and he was beginning to have new ideas about her. She was funny too, and they often chuckled together over her delicious lunches, he had never had such good food."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"You must have been a chef back in the city.\" He complimented her steak and eggs. He licked his lips and drank her iced too or lemondade, whichever she made for the day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "\"No, but i was engaged to one back home, and i learned a few tips or two, i enjoy good food too, i believe eating is part of life's pleasures.\" She beamed at his compliments of her fare. \"Let's go for a swim.\" He prompted again, hoping for a huge \"yes\", and she did give in finally."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The creek was as beautiful as he said it was, and she could see the catfish jumping as promised, next time she would bring a fishing rod and try it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The afternoon went by so quickly, and the willow trees hung above them inviting, the moss beneath them soft and begging, Phoebe lay down against the giant tree and closed her eyes, happy and content."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She then felt his hand on her shoulder, she opened her eyes to him bearing down, offering her a drink of water from his thermos. She drank in thirst, and handed it back to him. Randy continued to stare down at her, and then, he bent over and kissed her on the lips, much to her anger and surprise."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "\"W..What do you think you're doing?\" She belted out and pulled back in haste. \"I dont think i gave you permission to kiss me.\" She scoffed embarrased now. \"I am sorry, it's just that, well, I really think you are so pretty, and when you had your eyes closed, i thought, i am sorry, i really like you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A lot.\" He added and looked down at his feet. He never meant to hurt her, he had just been so lonely the last few years. Meaghan his last girlfriend, left him for another man after they'd moved in together, and had been cheating on him. Randy didnt give his heart out so easily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "\"I am not sure i want a relationship right now, and i hardly know you except for the work you do for me, and you were kind enough to bring me here too, i enjoyed our day very much."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\" She started, \"But if you want to court me that is another thing altogether.\" Phoebe finished then, surprised at her own reaction. She had not expected this either, Jack Aslton got abusive with her, after the engagement party he felt he owned her, things went from bad to worse."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Phoebe swore never to feel that way about a man ever again. Randy was a ranch hand, OMG, this could not be happening at all, but she liked him too, they were a good team together. \"So, does that mean you will give it some thought?\" He eyed her for any clue possible to hope for."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "\"yes, i think we can figure a way to make this work, but give me time, i wont give my heart out so easily. \" She warned him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "\"Well, ditto here, i have my own stories.\" He promised her, grinning from ear to ear, and the two of them sat under the willow tree, just talking and leaning against each other, as the Montana sun set behind the mountains vigorous color.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Third Time To Start Again"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Trigger warning: violence, mentions of concentration camps \n\n“I don’t remember.”\n\nI chuckle to myself as I hear the words coming out of my mouth. Easy for me to say that. In all honesty, I don’t remember much at all."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pretty much just my name, age, and the address on my drivers license, which I haven’t lived at in years.\n\nI focus once again on the man in front of me. He says he knows me, says we worked together. He says “worked together” in a manner that sounds...off. Like we were partners in crime."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But I don’t know him. I don’t remember him anyways. It’s been three years since I lost my memory. I’m forty two now. That’s thirty nine years of my life I don’t remember. Lost it all in a car accident. The doctors said I was hit by a drunk driver. Was comatose for a month."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Woke up and now, three years later, I can’t remember a thing. Problem is, I don’t\n\nwant\n\nto remember. Apparently I was successful before I lost my memory. In terms of money at least. I have enough to last me the rest of my life if I’m careful with it. Found that out when I got out of the hospital."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So I spend my time driving around in a beat up old red van I bought. Traveling around the country. Doesn’t cost much to live when your just one man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sometimes I’ll just buy ahead on canned goods and drive off down some old highway or up an old country road and after a bit pull off and camp out for a week or so. Watch the sunrises. Reds and yellows and oranges thrown up over the horizon in streaks. Watch the sunsets."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Purples and pinks and sometimes even greens and blues smeared across the sky. Drink strong black coffee. Build campfires and watch the flames devour the wood and the shadows dance like puppets. During the day I’ll hunt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Or sit and read those fifty cent paperback mysteries you can buy at some gas stations or out of the way book stores. The kind of book with the greasy antagonist that always catches what’s coming to him in the end and broad shouldered good looking protagonist who gets the girl."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Other times I’ll go into a little city or town and spend a week drunk at some sleazy downtown bar where cigar smoke is thick and alcohol is thin. Or go to a theater and watch a play. I’m a fan of plays for some reason. Shakespeare especially.\n\nI do it cause I enjoy the life I live."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Nature and towns and people and life. If you can call what some of the people I meet do living. And because I don’t want to remember. I don’t want to remember my past. I know some terrible secret lurks in it. And I don’t want to know what it is. Guess I’m a bit of a modern cowboy. A modern drifter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Like John Wayne in all the old movies. The black and white ones that sometimes play on the small cracked TVs in the corner of a hotel lobby or that play on the TV of the lonely old man sitting in a nursing home waiting out his days in a thin gown and surrounded by steel and white and death.\n\nAnyways."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man in front of me.\n\nHe wants to know something about someone. Another name from the past. Another face I can’t remember. Or maybe I can. I don’t know. Faces all become the same after a while. I shake my head at him. “Sorry. I don’t remember.” I say again. I turn back to the bar I sit at."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ignore him. Look at the drink in my hand. Bourbon. Swirl it around in the cup. Set it down without taking a drink. There’s laughter in the background. A girls laugh. No. A woman. Anyone in this kind of environment , no matter their looks, has the mind of an adult."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Years of seeing things no human should see. Growing up in places no human should grow up in. The mans questions have stirred something in me. My drink no longer appeals to me, and I stand and make my way out of the bar. I payed beforehand.\n\nI step out into the night air. It’s raining."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A light rain, the kind that catches the moonlight and dusts the street and throws the streetlights soft glow back up at you.\n\nMemories start moving in my mind like a nest of snakes. There’s a reason I live the life I do. A reason I travel the way I do. Never the same place twice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yet somehow always the same faces. When you travel like I do, everyone starts to seem the same. People just stuck in a never ending circle. The Circle of Life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You come and you go and when you go if your important or big or a politician or something then you might get your name in a paper or book or even a movie about you. Although of course the books and movies never show the whole story. That’s just how we are."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If your not a politician or some big important person you probably don’t get anything except a little epitaph on your grave. A few sad mourners standing around as they throw the dirt over your coffin. From dust to dust, as they say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Either way, big or small, important or not, when you go you make just a little ripple in the world. A little ripple. That’s it. All the years of your life spent meeting people and working and achieving goals and dreams, and when you go it’s just a drop in the ocean."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Like the rain as it falls around me right now. A drop of rain. A memory pops into my head.\n\nA boy.\n\nHe is standing next to a woman. The background around them is fuzzy. \n\n“Mom?” He asks, tugging at her hand. “Hm?” She looks down at him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They are both dirty and their clothes are dirty and thin.\n\n“Mom, where’s dad?” The boy asks. He can’t be more than eight.\n\nThe woman’s face shows the answer.\n\nThe dad is gone. Not coming back.\n\n“Your father is dead honey. I’ve told you this.” She says, her voice betraying itself."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cracking with grief.\n\nThe boy starts crying.\nThe memory ends as suddenly as it sprang to my mind. I know without a doubt that the boy in the memory is me. The woman is my mother. Another memory worms it’s dark little self into my head.\nThe woman is being dragged away. By the men in uniforms."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A crooked X marks their jacket. No. It’s a swastika. The boy watches from the shadowed corner of the building he cowers beside. The woman fell that morning. She fell and she couldn’t get up. So the big men with guns came and are taking her away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Taking her to a place that will make her “better” they say, grinning as they do so. Sharing some dork secret. Some dark joke. The boy continues to cry.\n\nA blank space.\n\nThe boy is strong. Physically and mentally. That’s why he has survived. They make him work."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His mom worked with him but she fell and couldn’t get up and the soldiers with guns took her away to a place to get better and she never came back. That was a year ago. The boy is nearly ten now. And he plans his escape every day."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Dreams of murdering the German swine who are responsible for his mother’s death. But he waits. He bides his time.\n\nAnother blank space.\n\nThis time is a year later again. The boy is in a truck. A German truck. There are four Germans in the truck with guns. And the driver. They are saying something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The war is over. The prisoners must die. There are two prisoners in the truck. One is the boy. One an older man. Maybe fifty. He is not related to the boy. He appears older than he is to the young eyes of the boy. The boys jaw clenches. He fingers something. It glints in the poor light."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He lunges forwards. The Germans scream echos in the tight confines of the truck.\nI’m sweating. Or is it rain? I’m soaked. The rain is running down my shirt and face and hair. It’s in my shoes. I remember now. Some things. Things I hadn’t wanted to remember. The German concentration camp."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My fathers death. My mother’s death. My escape. I don’t know what ever became of the old man who had been in the truck with me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did he die there, in the back of the truck with a crazed eleven year old boy who killed five grown men with a kitchen knife he had secreted away? Or did he escape with the boy and die somewhere along the long hike to safety? He is like a glitch in my memory."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I remember nothing about him after that quick flashback glimpse of him in the back of the truck. No matter. I don’t wish to remember. I stumble across the street. Alcohol once again sounds like a sweet release. Better to drown memory in fire. Maybe I’ll wake up and not remember anything again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I enter the bar I exited a few moments ago. A few people look at me. Not surprised to see me again. Wondering why I’m soaked. I ignore them. Make my way back to the bar. Order another bourbon. Drink it. And another. And a third. Someone says something to me but I don’t pay them any attention."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Flashes of the few memories I just re experienced are like fireworks behind my eyes.\n\nThe boy. The woman. The soldiers. The truck. The boy. The knife glinting as it plunges towards the German soldier.\n\nThe screams. Gunshots. The boy, staggering out of the truck.\nMy hands are shaking."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The alcohol is not working. Not really anyways. I can’t forget.\n\nMy hands are at my head. Grabbing it. As if holding my head in my hands and leaning my elbows on the table will somehow disconnect my brain and I can stop remembering. A girl is sitting next to me now. Asking if I’m okay."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don’t answer. Manage to stand. Blunder back out of the bar. My van is on the street corner. I make it to it. Fumble my keys out of my pocket. Open the door.\n\nSomehow I’m behind the wheel. The car is running and I’m driving.\n\nI laugh.\n\nI’m drunk. And I’m driving."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How many times was I told never to to drink and drive. And I don’t even remember when I started driving. Wasn’t I hit by a drunk driver? Isn’t that how I lost my memory? The road is very curvy. Or maybe it isn’t. I can’t tell.\n\nWhy is there a tree in the road? That’s not right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That shouldn’t be there.\nThe red van sits against the tree. Or the tree sits in the van. The front of the van is wrapped around the tree. The man inside is unconscious.\nSirens. Flashing lights. Voices. Bad jokes. Cops. Paramedics. The man is lifted out of the car. Put on a stretcher."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“He’s lucky to be alive,” the nurse says. She is speaking to a paramedic. The one who brought in the man. A Dixie cup of lukewarm coffee is in her hand. “Tell me about it. Drunk as a skunk. Broken arm. Broken leg and ankle. Concussed.” The paramedic responds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They are standing in a hallway, just outside the mans room.\n\n“Yeah. He was lucky someone saw him wreck too.” The nurse says. “Mhm. The paramedic grunts. “Older man. Around eighty. Said he knew the wrecked man from a long long time ago."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Said he saved his life, and he was glad to repay the favor.” “Oh?” The nurse questioned.\n\n“Yeah. Said the man saved him when he was just a boy. Said he saved him in Germany. From a truck full of German soldiers.” “Huh.” The nurse wonders aloud. “Well, it’s too bad.”\n\n“What is?” The paramedic asks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“The man in there won’t remember.” The nurse muses. “Won’t remember what?”\n\n“Anything. The old man who saved him. His past. Nothing.” “What?” The paramedic says curiously. “Yeah. The wreck concussed him so bad he’s lost his memory. He woke up and couldn’t remember a thing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not even his name.” The nurse explains. “And, according to his medical records, this is the second time that’s happened. Poor guy. First time was three years ago.”\n\n“Huh.” The paramedic mutters. “Guess he gets a third chance to start again.” ."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yardstick"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Topaz looked through the peephole. There was no one there, despite the door having been knocked on seconds earlier. He pushed open the door--and pushed something over. Down the steps of his front porch rolled a little wire cage with something small and green inside of it. It was cheeping."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Oh my God,” he muttered. “Andy! You did not!” “Mom doesn’t want it anymore!” screamed Andy’s voice from the driveway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“That’s not my problem! What the heck am I supposed to--” “I don’t know; it’s a green-cheek conure!” “What?” A pause, and then: “The green-cheeked parakeet or green-cheeked conure is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura, which is part of a long-tailed group of the New World parrot subfamily Arinae! The term conure is often used for this parrot and its relatives in aviculture! It is native to the forests of South America!” “What the heck, Andy!” Topaz ran down the porch steps, just in time to see his sister sliding into her car."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We could’ve talked about this, you know!” “COVID!” “You literally went to a wedding last week!” Andy just grinned crookedly and swerved out of the driveway. “See you New Year’s!” she shouted through her open window."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shaking his head, Topaz walked back to the front door, muttering “Republicans,” as he went. He knelt at the base of the steps and looked inside the cage. Evidently unhurt, the soft green and gray colored bird was chirping softly, looking suspiciously at him with its beady black eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“What the actual heck, Andy,” Topaz said exasperatedly, gently picking up the cage and bringing it inside. “What am I supposed to do with you?” Topaz set the birdcage--upright, this time--on the kitchen counter and peered at the bird. “I guess you need a name, huh, little guy.” Topaz sighed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, it’s the twenty-first century, I’ll let you decide. To the right for girl, to the left for boy.” The bird stood stock-still. “Non-binary, then. So, what about… Taylor? Everyone says that name is gender-neutral, but I’ve only ever heard of Taylor Swift.” Topaz sighed again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Look, little dude, I really don’t know what I’m supposed to do with you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Here, Taylor doesn’t fit--what about, like, Laundry or Yardstick?” When the bird fluffed its feathers indignantly, Topaz replied, “Well, I really have no other idea, so let’s just go with Yardstick, okay, bud?” Yardstick consented with the click of their beak. “Great."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now… what do you eat? Hey, Siri,” Topaz dictated to his iPhone, “green cheek conure diet.” “Green Cheek Conures should be fed on a quality South American pellet…” “Fantastic.” “...and given daily fresh fruit and vegetables.” Topaz walked across the kitchen and hesitantly opened the fridge."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It contained three half-gallon jugs of milk, a carton of eggs, a loaf of bread with just the ends and crusts, kombucha, Coke, tortillas, chicken fried rice, and a singular rotting banana. “I don’t suppose you like pretzels, do you?” Topaz called sarcastically over his shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Because that and tortilla strips are all that’s in the pantry.” Yardstick chirped encouragingly. “Well, at least this means I won’t be spending the holidays alone.” Topaz was in a peculiar situation. He owned a house, for some reason, which he lived in by himself, though no one knew quite why."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "His only sister, Andy, was in college, and his parents lived three hours away. Topaz saw his family about once every three months, and to the extent of their knowledge, he had no friends and hardly ever left his house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one knew where his money came from, but he had a lot of it, despite the scarcity of the fridge. Topaz shut the refrigerator door and went back over to where Yardstick was scratching the floor of their cage. Slowly, he unlatched the little door and swung it open."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After a moment, Yardstick hopped onto the granite countertop and regarded Topaz with a wide round eye. “Have I introduced myself? I’m Topaz, by the way. Weird name, huh? Talk to my parents. You’ve already met them, anyways.” Topaz sighed, gazing longingly at Yardstick."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Well, I guess we’re in it together now, little guy. Want to go for a walk?”."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just Another Typical Love Story"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "June 23, 2017 “Hey, Harper?” “Yeah?” “I really, really love you.” Harper turns from where he’s watching the sky and smiles at me. God, he’s gorgeous. He just sits there, grinning, for a few moments before leaning into me and saying, “You too, Therly.” I look back out at the ocean."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Waves lap lightly at the peaceful shore. Sunrise is just beginning, staining the horizon with orange, and I’ve never really liked that color, but today it’s the most perfect thing I’ve ever seen.\n\nEverything for the past few weeks has been perfect, really."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’ve always wanted to do something like this; I’ve always wanted to run away. I’ve always wanted to spend nights, giggling, alone in the desert. I’ve always wanted to jump into the ocean at 11 p.m."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I’ve always wanted to snuggle in the backseat and listen to music turned all the way up and swear and wear whatever I want and bleach my hair and run on train tracks and drive all night without stopping and have a real conversation and sleep in a car and do all of the million incredible things we’ve been doing every single day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Our car is parked in the lot of this California timeshare. The car used to be blue, but we’d hung out around a spray paint shop until we found an adult who would buy some for us, then stained the whole thing black. And hey, we actually did a pretty good job. Oh, and we changed the license plate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s not valid, of course, but who’s gonna check? Harper yawns. “D’you think anyone will realize we’re not supposed to be here?” I glance around the empty shoreline."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Nah, two teens sitting on the beach at 6:30 a.m.? What’s sketchy about that?” Harper makes a pffing sound and falls back onto the sand. “So, what’s on the itinerary for today?” I lay down beside him. “Idk, I was thinking maybe KFC?” Harper snorts."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Ah, yes, the most important of all, KFC--how could I forget?” I whomp his stomach. “Shut up.” Harper shakes his head, further entangling his thick brown curls in sand. “Fine, then, I’ll decide."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you want tooo… I don’t know, go swimming? Buy some stupid inflatable rafts at 5 Below and off, off into the sunset…” He waves his hand vaguely at the sea. I laugh. “Sure thing, pal.” “Oh, so we’re pals now, are we?” asks Harper, pretending to be hurt."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“We’ve been on the road for two weeks, and you’re breaking up with me already?” I roll my eyes, then roll over until I’m practically on top of him. I hope he catches the mischievous look in my eyes before I press my lips to his, silently giggling. Harper puts his arms around my neck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Harper was my first kiss, and I guess I’m hoping my last. I’ve had a lot of practice over the past fortnight. I know you’ll just roll your eyes at our stupid cheesy teenage love story, but this is real, I know it is. I love this boy with all my heart."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s kind and funny and brilliant and he makes killer crepes and I love him enough to run away with him. Not like, “Haha, let’s elope,” but actually, I did. He’s that perfect. I pull away from him and smile. “So, it’s a plan, then?” “Mhm,” Harper mutters. I think he forgot what we were talking about."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To be honest, so did I. We sit back up, my head on his shoulder, and continue watching the sun rise. It’s almost completely above the horizon when we hear someone shout, “Hey!” We stumble into a standing position and frantically locate the source of the noise."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It’s a cop car, driving along the deserted beach. Right towards us. “Hey, you kids!” Without speaking, we both take off running in the same direction. In typical angry-old-man-cop fashion, the police officer shouts, “Get back here!” We’re almost to the timeshare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Barefooted, we sprint across the parking lot, hidden by shrubbery. I can hear the police car so close behind us. In just a few seconds, we’ll be in view. We reach our black car."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harper reaches for the keys in his pocket, but I hiss, “There’s no time for that!” I dash to the other side of the vehicle, drop to my stomach, and wiggle under. Harper follows almost immediately. A car door slams. The policeman comes running into the parking lot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From what I can hear, it sounds like he’s looking around. “Blasted teenagers,” he mutters, maybe ten feet away from our hiding spot. I squeeze even further under the car and pray he won’t find us. Eventually, I hear him walk back to his car and drive away across the sand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harper and I wait a few more minutes to be sure, then crawl out from under the car. Harper gets in the driver’s seat, and I climb over him to get to mine. The passenger side door hasn’t opened for months. Don’t ask me why, okay? It’s not like it’s my choice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Although I don’t mind crawling across Harper’s lap as he laughs and playfully berates me. I think Harper thinks everything about me is perfect, too. But, gosh, he really is flawless. His hair is dark brown and impishly wavy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He’s got this beautiful smile with teeth just white enough to be believable and just a little less than straight (the teeth, not Harper--I’m his girlfriend), so not like frightening symmetry and blinding whiteness, but not yellow and crooked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had braces several years ago, but he doesn’t wear his retainer anymore. And that, if you ask me, is a perfectly reasonable decision. I’m… not so sure about myself. I’m (mostly) Native American, but I’m normal. Before Harper and I ran away, I lived, in San Francisco, in a house, with my parents."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And I went to school and my parents had regular jobs and I’ve never set foot inside a tipi in my life. Is all this really that far-fetched? But here’s the thing. I “look white.” Or at least, people assume I am. When I tell them I’m indigenous, they usually just end up calling me Indian."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I’m not, though. Harper is Indian. There’s a difference. I wish people would understand that. I sigh and turn on the radio. “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons comes on. I nod along to the lyrics as Harper pulls out of the parking lot. I don’t ask him where he’s going; that’s part of the fun."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The windows are down, of course. I wave my hands in the wind and lean out of the car, occasionally, when I want to see how badly I can tangle my straight hair, laughing as it whips across my face."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We drive along for maybe ten minutes, me leaning out the windows like an exuberant puppy, until we pull into the parking lot of a Target.\n\nHarper cuts the engine and looks over at me. “What do you say—bathroom break, grocery shopping, then eat breakfast on the roof of the car?” We fistbump."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Sounds like a plan, stan.” Thirty minutes later and we’re walking out of target, pushing a cart with at least eight or nine bags inside. We pay in cash everywhere—both our families are well-to-do, but Harper’s dad is like, uber rich."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As part of our plan before we ran away, Harper withdrew money from his bank account that was supposed to be for college and savings and other bs stuff like that, without his dad noticing. We keep it, all in twenty dollar bills, in an envelope in the glovebox."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We picked up a lot of snacks like chips and Coke, but we also have a large plastic cooler in the backseat that we refill with ice from random gas stations for stuff like fruit and ice cream."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Which we eat a lot of, by the way.\n\nIce cream tastes so much better under the stars.\n\nAfter putting our groceries away, Harper and I share a bag of pretzels and a 2-liter of Dr Pepper on the car’s roof. We get lots of odd looks from people, but do you think we care? Yeah, we don’t."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We’re done with the pretzels and it’s drivetime again, on the freeway this time. Harper’s pushing 75, 80 mph. He’s not stupid, of course; but everyone else is going practically that fast too."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And what would be the fun in driving if you couldn’t feel the wind rushing rapidly by your face? I bounce back into my seat contentedly and roll up the window. I swat wild strands of hair out of my face and look over at Harper, laughing. “I love you,” I tell him again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Harper grins and turns his face, slightly, to look at mine. “Love you--” he begins. Hey, that’s kind of dangerous. Once he begins turning, I frown and say, “Harper--” I look out the windshield. We’re drifting into the right lane, right in front of another car."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I scream, “HARPER--” And then we start to spin. June 23, 2017 “I think she’s waking up!” I moan and flutter my eyelids open. I’m in a--hospital?--in a bed, lying down. Mom and Dad are sitting by my side, their foreheads creased in worry.\n\n“Oh, thank God,” Mom cries and takes my hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Therly? Are you all right? It’s your mom, sweetheart.” “M-mom?” I stammer. Everything aches. I swallow. That hurts too. “How did you find me?” “You got in an accident, sweetie."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "When you ran away, and left your phone and everything at home without even leaving a note--we thought you were dead, oh, praise God…” Dad picks up for her. “You were recognized by one of the paramedics. We came right away. We’re so glad you’re safe, Therly… you could’ve died…” I scream."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mom looks up from where she was stroking my hand and gasps. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Should we--” “Harper,” I sob. “Where’s Harper? Is he okay?” I struggle to sit up. Dad pushes me back down onto the bed. “Hey, it’s okay, Therly--” “No, it’s not!” I scream hoarsely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Where’s Harper?” “He’s dead, Therly,” Mom whispers. I think my heart stops beating. And now I’m thrashing, screaming, kicking and biting and yelling and crying, crying, Harper, Harper, where are you Harper, Harper-- June 27, 2017 We live in a lakefront house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did I ever mention that? I was discharged from the hospital--some time ago--I can’t keep track, I can’t remember. I think Harper’s funeral is this Saturday. Or maybe it’s next--I don’t know. I don’t really remember anymore. I’m at the edge of the dock in our backyard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It’s--I don’t know, ten p.m.? Earlier? Later? I got into the backyard through the house’s back door. There’s only one of them. I told my parents I would be out for fifteen minutes, so, although they’ll monitor the front to make sure I don’t sneak out, they won’t check back here. I think."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I look at the lake’s still water. The moon is a waxing crescent tonight. It’s beautiful. The white light reflects in a jagged, watery line across the lake’s surface. It looks so calm. So quiet."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shift from my seated position until I’m on my stomach and reach the three longest fingers of my right hand down to touch the water. It’s so cold. Or warm. No, I think it’s warm. I shift my glance from the depths beneath me once more to the enchanting reflection. It’s really quiet tonight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No crickets, even. Just water. And light. I scooch forward a little more until my whole torso is hanging off the dock. I slip both my hands into the water. I feel something in it. I don’t know what. But I do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I move forward further off the dock--deeper in the water--until I’ve fallen, quietly, into the lake. My head is submerged in water. I look up, and through the surface I see the moon. It’s really beautiful tonight. And then I close my eyes.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The promise"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was a silly document left in a tiny envelope. Left in his mother's desk, a document he found years later as he was rummaging through the attic. She had gone to soothsayers, palm readers. All to no avail."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His carer told him also of the time when she became rather desparate and she'd gone to Japan specifically for readings of leaves at the bottom of a tea cup. All foretold of a beautiful child. A male of course, an only child to carry the family name."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nice promises, but not easy for her to achieve as she was a childless young widow. Her husband taken from her too quickly. A terrible road accident, a huge tractor making a wrong turn and hitting his small car, the policeman said, cap in hands and pain in his eyes."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She now faced a dire future, rather bleak and filled with mediocrity. Thus she was not in ''high demand'' from the very few men around. So she saved and saved and one day she decided to leave the place in care of a friend and discreetly go to a near-by town."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Young, healthy and determined to find a companion in a short time. Perhaps it is that desperation makes us do desperate things."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She dressed as in fashion, but dared to show a somewhat indecent bit of cleavage, sat at a café, occupied herself with writing notes in regard to the novel she intended to write someday ( a gloomy affair with witches and demons) and pondered about that future when a nice young man approached smiled, and asked her if she'd like a bit of company."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Charming, handsome and bold. Lovely. (That he was bisexual she did not know of course and would not care). So they talked, liked what they heard and ended up at his hotel. Such was her aim. Alas he was a cheat and did not intend on anything long term, never mind marriage."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She had some regrets as she had in retrospect and in regards to her upbringing been a bit too forward, but nonetheless the gift was that she discovered that she was pregnant."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Indeed, as she lived in a rather remote area there was not much commérage, she was able to find a nice birth lady and have a lovely child."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All the readings had told of great things to come, of a bright future, health, wealth and success, and so she hoped for her little bundle of joy as she pampered him every day of his young life."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Unfortunately she herself was of generally poor health (coughing blood and all the rest) and passed away at a relatively young age, leaving him in the charge a nice carer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "From the height of his ten years, so shy, living in a far off village, he wished to believe what was in the note, while a few tear flowed down his cheeks."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How could any of these things come true? He and his carer lived in the wilderness and all he could see was a future of taking care of a few chickens and hens and a few pigs. That was certainly not heaven on earth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But his mother had also been very thrifty and saved for him for the moment when it came time for him to leave. His carer had never told him of this, but one day, she saw him rather depressed ."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He always had his eyes in books and of stories of distant and wonderful places and csstles and lovely princesses. Had she taken a closer, she might have noticed his preference for lofty romantic stories, operas, ballets and mythologies where Valkyries and goddesses ruled."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She found him to be a rather strange young man. Perhaps a bit frail, but she knew this would not last though so the moment approached when she had to tell tell. He was, as her mother wished, made for a brighter future. She approached him, told him of the purse and the immense possibilities."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Needless to say of the joy in his eyes, bright lights. Castles and romance and chivalry. From then on he hardly could sit in place. In time she made arrangements with friends she knew...who also were able to take care of the young man in the nearby city where the chosen academy was."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They tought they were doing the best, though the reality turned out to be slightly different. For the monent his carer had a small suitcase packed and ready the hour he would leave for the academy. She made sure that he had enough warm clothings."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "(Little did she know that he had also packed a few items having belonged to his mother). Great promises. The years went by. But little John never felt quite good with who or what he was. He saw lots of therapists, psychologists and one thing became very clear."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "John, as in his every day appearances preferred to be Amanda. The years at the first academy were hard. It did not help that a few priests had roaming hands...especially at night in the dormitories."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was traumatised by the idea of having to take on old man in his mouth, as the boy next to him did every night. The boy seemed to like perhaps also because it gave him an extra chocolate bar on occasion."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "During the day some leered at him, wishing him to serve mass so that he could feel comfortable with the Nothing worked. For some reason they did not abuse and left him generally alone. Except for some psychological pressure. Develish."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They nerver did like his attitude either though , and in the course of these difficult years he moved from one academy to the next. Friends of his carer did not understand - or could not understand his pain and discomfort. Until."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Until one day, he took a scalpel, hurt himself in the worst way, was rushed to emergency.....and then they decided to comprehend. So, after years of transformation (s)he became Amanda. Amanda was now healthy, had a successful career as a lawyer, but no children in sight."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Even the soothsayers and palm readers she saw detected none in her future. She also eventually went to Japan for a special tea leaves reading, but to no avail. But a bit of happiness she found in Osaka as she met the man of her dreams."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As it turned out, her mother's own readings were partly right and partly wrong, a partial success for a mother with the name of Cassandra.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The Backward bullet"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gage Williamson was sitting on his bed in a small wooden room. It had only little lighting coming from the far most window."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He sat wearing a black suit with a black tie, tears dripped from his eyes, wondering how his life could have such a tragedy, no matter how small it was compared to other people.\n\nHe remembered how he had been on the sidewalk across from the local pub."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A whiskey bottle was in his hand half drunken, And he felt as sick as a dog. He barely remembered hearing from his best friend's parents, how Marcus was dead. The last time he had seen him was right before he was murdered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had gone inside the grocery store to check out some materials for a homemade pizza for one of his DnD campaigns. He remembered talking with him at the deli to see if he had any pepperoni, and then going to the pub for DnD.\n\nHe owned the place, making it very easy to get together with his friends."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After the campaign, they all had one too many that night and Gage ended up outside. Now he had just come back from the funeral, it was a terrible and gut wrenching thing for Gage and Marcus's family."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He had heard something rather interesting from the newspaper the next morning, about how the bullet that killed Marcus matched that of a derringer pistol. He had thought that it would be best if he simply remained here forever and never came out of his little hole."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Something glinted in the corner of his eye near the window, he walked over to a loose floorboard underneath the torn wallpaper on the wall to the right of his bead. He picked up the floor board and moved it to the side. Inside was a shoe box, and a loaded derringer pistol."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Gage leaped back screaming at the sight. Dried blood splatter covered the pistol, and it had several small bullets scattered around it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Gage immediately got back on his feet reassuringly he thought to himself, ¨This must belong to the killer, he must have tried to frame me, as long as I go into the police station now, I can tell them what this is doing here, yes, what a good idea¨.\n\nGage picked up the gun slowly, and put it in a plastic bag."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He then proceeded to get in his car, and drive to the nearest police station. On the way he saw several police cars blare their sirens as they raced to the opposite direction of Gage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Finally after much panic on the way, he stopped and parked at the local police station that had been investigating Marcus's case. He walked inside the building, hearing an oddly familiar ring as the doorbell swung."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "When he walked in, there was a police officer looking down at his phone on the service desk. Gage walked up to the police officer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "¨Sir, I am here to talk about the case of Marcus Fletcher.¨\n\nThe police officer looked up from his phone and gazed at Gage for a couple seconds, he then opened his eyes wider in shock, and yelled ¨GET ON THE FLOOR NOW! PUT YOUR HANDS UP INTO THE AIR!¨ ¨What did I do? I am so sorry for whatever I did, please sir what is going on!?¨ The officer put handcuffs on Gage as he laid on the floor."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He then began to prop him up and search him. The officer grabbed the gun from Gages left jacket pocket. He set it down on the counter and pinned Gage down with one knee. Other officers that had come in all began to talk on their radios for back up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Several minutes later Gage was moved to a desk where he was chained up. In front of him sat two officers that seemed to be in his forties working on a laptop. The other was a young man around Gages age staring at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man spoke, ¨I am officer O'Connor, and this is officer Waller, we want to talk to you Gabriel about the gun you brought in today.¨ Gage stood up in his chair, panic blaring from his expression, ¨I brought it in, because I think someone is trying to frame me! I swear I have never done a terrible thing in my life, ask my neighbors, friends, family please!¨ ¨STOP LYING!¨ ¨I'm not I swear, please sir I swear!¨ Officer O'Connor rolled his eyes as he paced back and forth in front of Gage, Officer Waller spoke up through O´Connors mumbling.\n\n¨So you are saying that you did not shoot Marcus Fletcher?¨ ¨Do you know who I am, I WAS HIS BEST FRIEND! And now you want to accuse me of killing him?¨ ¨Look here sir and tell me what you see, OK?¨ The officer turned the computer showing Marcus checking out some items at the deli."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A man with a black sweatshirt walked up to the desk in the footage, and pulled out a gun. Everyone in the Deli began to duck and run, but before Marcus could duck in time, a bullet was loosed into his shoulder."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The man went behind the counter and the cameras switched to show Marcus staring at the man on the floor.\n\nThe man walked up to Marcus and started to speak to him. Marcus then screamed as the gun was shoved in his mouth, and the trigger was pulled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After the man went to the register and stole the entire drawer. He ran with it out of the store, ran around the building and before he ran out into the woods, his head starred at one of the cameras, showing a bloody face that looked exactly like Gages."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "¨That isn't me, that can´t, I know it looks like I did it, but I-¨ The officer immediately shut the Laptop, and backed away, officer O'Connor went to the back door with officer Waller, but before they went, ¨O'Connor quickly said,\n\n¨Thank you for your time.¨ Four months later… Carolina Williamson was sitting at her son's dining table, she was originally coming over to visit her son, and had decided to make herself comfortable by watching the news on his TV."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She sat in horror as she sat watching a trial with her son in the seat for the accused. She started to walk to his bedroom, prompted to see if there really was any other possible evidence of this accusation against her son."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The sweet Gage she had raised to be a wonderful boy, that never caused trouble for her. When she opened the door, she found a removed floorboard on the ground, in the place where the floor board should have been, there was a box. She opened the small shoe box, and inside was several notes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She picked up the very top envelope and started to read the message. Dear Gage,\n\nUnfortunately, I have been the only one to notice your problem, not to mention the only one to start to take care of this. I, Ethan Hunt, your other in our split thanks to your case of D.I.D."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "have murdered Marcus Fletcher. I\n\ncame to him in the deli of Seattle local\n\ngrocery store, looking specifically for a man that I knew named Marcus Fletcher, I shot him in the shoulder, and then through the mouth into the skull."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I then stole one hundred and eighty two dollars and sixty four cents from the register. My reasoning was to scare the living daylights out of my twin Gage, so that when he goes into that courtroom, he will lose, and I will be shown to all other dangerous people wherever they lock people like us in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will take out all who believe to be better than me at my job there, and become your worst nightmare. Sincerely: Ethan Hunt.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hunter Street"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Hunter Street was empty on this brisk Sunday evening— apart from two souls, a man and a woman, walking toward each other. It was 6 PM, just as the sun was setting— painting the sky with its glorious mural as it fell out of sight. He gazed up, excited by the sunset."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "‘It’s perfect!’ He thought, as his eyes shifted from the sky to the landscape of autumnal leaves covering the ground where they walked. A gust of wind seemed like his perfect excuse to reach into the pocket of his wool coat unassumingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As he did, the fingers of his right hand clasped around what was inside, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice. He rubbed his finger back and forth along the soft, navy blue velvet of the tiny box. A chill raced down his spine. His heart raced in anxiety and anticipation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A small smile settled across his face. He continued to walk forward toward the girl. He was so excited to get to her, so he picked up the pace. As he did, he studied her. His eyes traced up and down her body, from the rips in her jeans to the soft curls in her hair."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He locked eyes with her, his smile only growing as he took note of her wide eyes. ‘Yes, she’s so excited. I can’t wait.’ ********** It was 6 PM, just as the sun was setting— abandoning her as the night chased it from the sky; betraying her to the darkness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She glanced up, worried as the safety of the light quickly fleeted. ‘Perfect,’ she thought, as she rolled her eyes and walked through the pile of leaves strewn about the sidewalk. A gust of wind seemed like her perfect excuse to reach into the pocket of her black jacket unassumingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she did, her fingers tensed around what was inside, ready to pull it out at a moment’s notice. Her thumb slid back and forth along the safety clasp of the pepper spray on her keychain. A chill raced down her spine. Her eyebrows furrowed in anxiety and anticipation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She continued to walk forward toward the guy. She dreaded reaching him, but she couldn’t cross the street. As she walked, she noticed his eyes on him. She watched as he surveyed her body."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She made the mistake of gazing into his eyes, and hers grew in fear at the familiar menacing madness that lay within his. ‘I need to get out of here.’\n\n The only sound was the rustle of the leaves in the wind and the stomp of the heels of her boots against the pavement."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As they exhaled into the silence, their breath pooled in front of them, then slowly drifted off into the night. They both walked silently toward one another, each with their hands gripping the objects in their pockets. He stopped a foot away from her. She wanted to continue walking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "But her body halted: paralyzed in fear. Her grip tightened around her only defense. As did his left hand. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?” She gave a weak nod. He continued to talk. It was their first face-to-face conversation. He knew it needed to go well."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I’ve been watching you.” “I know.” “You’re beautiful.” “Thank you.”\n\n “I need you to do something for me.” “What is it?” Her heart raced as he stepped in closer. She shuddered as she gazed nearly straight up at him. “Marry me.” It was at this point when he swiftly pulled out his left hand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She was staring down the barrel of his silver gun. Its colors mocked the shining stars in the night sky. Her hand tensed around the pepper spray, but she knew it was too late. Any movement and she was gone. “Please... put down the gun.” “MARRY ME.” His voice echoed down the silent street."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She hoped someone heard. But the words just rang in the silence, echoing as the leaves continued to dance in the wind. His voice was more stern this time. It was not a question."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She cowered as his body began to shake with anger.\n\n “Please...” Her voice cracked, and her vision blurred as the tears began to pool in her eyes. He pulled out his other hand, revealing the navy-blue box. She looked down as he fumbled to open the box while continuing to hold her at gunpoint."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Her eyes widened, as an idea popped into her head. ********** “I’ve been watching you.” This was it. His first words to her. “I know.” “You’re beautiful.”\n\n “Thank you.” “I need you to do something for me.” “What is it?” He took a few steps closer: finally, so close to the girl that he loved so."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He smiled as she looked up at him. “Marry me.” It was at this point when he contemplated which hand to pull out of his pocket. As he saw the hesitation in her eyes, he decided on the left. This was it. His final option. There was no room for choice. No room for error. “Please..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "put down the gun.” But he couldn’t do that. “MARRY ME.” His body began to shake. This was it. No more time for options. He finally had her. “Please...” Her voice cracked, but he didn’t notice. He needed to do something."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He pulled out his other hand and fumbled with the box until he propped it open with his thumb. Her eyes widened. ‘Yes. She loves it.’ “Well?” She held out her left hand, still leaving the right hand in her pocket. “Put it on.” They both looked down. The small diamond shone in the moonlight."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wondered where he got it. ********** “Well?” She held out her left hand, and he set his gaze upon her ring finger, stunned, yet excited by her compliance. “Put it on.” They both looked down. He could only imagine how the small diamond he stole would look upon her finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Though only a few seconds passed, it felt like an eternity. ‘I finally got her. This is it.’ Quickly, he fumbled to try and pull the ring from its resting place. But it was firmly nestled in the box. He looked down at it, questioning if putting this ring ion her finger was worth putting his gun away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He looked from the ring to her freshly manicured hand, then into her eyes. He found his answer in the unwavering confidence that lay behind them. ‘She loves me.’ He pocketed his gun, slipped the ring from its holder, and bent to get on one knee."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He held her hand, but just as he began to slip the ring on her finger, he screamed out in agony. ********** He fumbled to try and pull the ring from its resting place. But, as she had hoped, it was firmly nestled in the box."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She watched as he looked at her-- determined to maintain some semblance of the facade she hoped would protect her. Though her heart was pounding, she stared at him with icy eyes, trying to keep her extended arm from shaking."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her fingers, once again, tensed around the last line of defense that lay in her pocket. As he pocketed his gun and prepared for his marriage proposal, she sighed a quick breath of relief."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She looked down at him as he bent to get on one knee, wondering if she should continue to pretend or perhaps just run. But when his cold fingers clutched her extended hand, a chill raced down her spine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Without any more hesitation, she pulled out the pepper spray. As she launched her defense, he lost his balance-- collapsing to the ground. But he didn’t let go of her hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Instead, she fell with him, as pain shot up her arm from where he pulled her down using the ring that he managed to finish slipping on her finger. She couldn’t bring herself to look at it, but she could feel the blood trickling from where the ring dug into her finger."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Instead, she flailed her arms in a desperate scuttle to get free of his firm grasp around her wrist. But his grip only tightened. Soon, she couldn’t tell if the blood pumping to her flushed cheeks was from her valiant fighting or from his nasty punches."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She needed to stop but merely panted and continued in her pursuits. That is until shots were fired. ********** She pulled out the pepper spray. He screamed in agony, lost his balance, and collapsed onto the ground. But she was his, and he refused to let go of his fiancée."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After all, he did put the ring on her finger. As he fell, she fell to the ground with him. He could only think of one reason why: ‘she regrets the pepper spray and is bending down to help me.’ His mindset, however, quickly changed as she began to flail her arms at him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "His confusion quickly turned to anger. ‘That was no way to treat your future husband.’ His grasp around her wrist tightened. ‘She must be punished for her behavior.’ He swung his arm-- aiming at her face. They continued on like this."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He was so determined to capture what he thought was his, that he didn’t notice the clatter of the gun falling out of his pocket. Then, shots were fired."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "*************************************************************** \n\n And, just like that, Hunter Street was silent once more— apart from the rustle of the leaves and the tiny clatter of the diamond ring that rolled into the gutter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A pool of blood collected as the man and the woman on hunter street lay atop one another. All that was left of their story was a gun, a small tube of pepper spray, and a small, blue box."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "The world would never discover the years of lurking, peering, and following that it took for them to end up here, on this street. But the world would miss her.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Making Memories"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frank Scott had been looking forward to tomorrow, a Saturday, for seven years now. His son, Peter, would now be old enough to continue the Scott Family Tradition; the handing down of one of his favorite childhood toys to his children."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He was as excited to hand down the toy that had brought him so much joy as Peter was to turn seven. His wife, Brandi, knew a few of the toys that Frank had enjoyed when he was a kid."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Her mother-in-law had been more than generous with stories about Frank’s younger days, such as the day he had finally solved the Rubik’s Cube for the first time. “He strutted around like he had just figured out the impossible” she had said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But Frank wasn’t talking so Brandi had no idea which toy Peter was going to receive. Brandi rose early Saturday morning to make a special birthday breakfast for Peter, he had requested cinnamon french toast and sausage."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "As she was preparing the batter, Peter walked into the kitchen. “Good morning mom” he said. “Good morning birthday boy” she beamed back at him. “Do you feel seven now?” she asked. “Aww mom, you can’t feel your age.” “Give it time Peter, give it time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Once you get to my age, you will have an entirely different view on that.” “Hey, where is dad?” “He left early to pick up a few things. He’ll be back in time for your birthday breakfast, don’t you worry about that."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And speaking of your breakfast, how about you go get cleaned up so you can eat.” “Ok, mom.” A few minutes later, the sound of the front door opening announced Frank’s arrival home."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Carrying a few nondescript bags in one hand, he walked past the kitchen, looking in as he went by. “Well, it looks like you had better hurry up and get washed up for breakfast, young man.” Peter disappeared down the hall while Brandi began cooking breakfast, filling the kitchen with the aroma of cinnamon french toast. An hour later, breakfast was finished and the dishes washed and dried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Frank gathered a few wrapped packages and brought them to the living room for Peter. Looking at the boxes, Peter thought about what his father might have gotten him for his birthday. He really wanted the new PlayStation console that all of his friends had gotten for Christmas this past year."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As he looked at the presents, none seemed to be the right size for a PlayStation. “Before you begin tearing into things Peter, I have something to tell you first” Frank said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“You are now seven years old and, as is the tradition in the Scott family, I am passing down to you my favorite toy when I was your age.” “Ok, dad” Peter said a little unsure, as his mind raced to think of what that might be."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wasn’t sure that either of his parents had any “cool” toys when they were his age. There were basic, early versions of the game consoles that he enjoyed with his friends, but he had no idea what they were or what kinds of games they had."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He had seen something called an Atari 2600 once when he was in the attic looking for his Christmas presents. \n\n “Here you go” said Frank, a smile on his face reaching both of his ears as he passed a large, rectangular package to Peter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I hope you have as much fun with it as I did.” “Thanks, dad” Peter replied as he began tearing the wrapping paper off. “Oh, it’s....a train set” he said, the dejection in his voice was obvious. “It’s not just a train set, it’s a Lionel Santa Fe train set."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This was one of the best available when I was your age.” Sitting on the couch, afraid for what might come next, Brandi saw the disappointment in Peter’s face and the complete lack of comprehension in Frank’s."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hoping against hope that there would not be hurt feelings with either of the men in her life, she watched nervously, knowing that she would be consoling at least one of them sooner or later. “But dad, it’s still just a train set. You set up the track and it goes in a circle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What is fun about that?” “What is fun about that?” Frank said, his voice rising with each word, “I’ll tell you what’s fun about that.” “Frank, honey, why don’t you go out for a walk” Brandi said. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.” As Frank left for what she hoped would be a long walk, Brandi began thinking about the best way to confront the logic of a seven-year-old in this situation."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Peter did have a point, it was just a train set and it did go in circles, ovals, or however the track was laid out."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "For a seven-year-old, how much fun was there in a toy that traditionally gets its most use at Christmas time, which was still months away. Frank left the house at a quick pace, better to get the anger he felt brewing out sooner rather than later."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something about walking briskly when he was mad helped the anger to dissipate quicker."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He didn’t know why and if he really cared to find out, he could probably search the web and find some over-priced self-help book that would explain it to him. As he walked, the purpose in his stride lessened as his frustration eased. Kids today are too caught up in technology, he thought."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "If there is a power outage that lasts for more than a few minutes, they don’t know what to do with themselves."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Where is their imagination and creativity, he wondered? When he got back home, he would sit down with Peter and have a good talk about not just the train set, but also about his dependence on video games for entertainment. Finding Peter in his room, a sullen look about him, Brandi said “Would you like to tell me about it?” “What’s there to tell mom? I was hoping for the latest PlayStation console and instead, dad gave me his old, used train set."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What am I going to tell my friends at school on Monday when they ask what I got for my birthday?” “Tell them the truth.” “Yeah, that I got a crummy old train set.” “Peter, first of all, don’t you think you are being a little hard on your father just because you didn’t get what you wanted? Second, the attitude you have right now is not how your father and I have been raising you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You are basically throwing a tantrum because you did not get what you want. Have you stopped yet to think about how you made your father feel? He chose this particular toy from his past, something that has been very special to him, to give you to.” “Oh” Peter said. “Yeah, oh is right” Brandi replied."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Come on, let’s go watch a movie.” His anger and frustration walked off, Frank returned home and found Brandi and Peter watching Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl in the den. “Hi dad.” “Hi Peter. Listen, there is somewhere that I would like to take you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Would you mind finishing your movie later?” “Sure."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Where are we going?” “It’s another birthday surprise.” A brief look of concern crossed Brandi’s face, mouthing “are you sure” to Frank so as not to be heard by Peter. With a relaxed smile on his face, Frank just nodded and speaking with his eyes, implored her to trust him. Once everyone was in the car and headed to the surprise destination, Frank considered his options to begin his conversation with Peter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He wanted him to understand that while there was nothing wrong with video games, in moderation, they weren’t the end-all means to entertain oneself. “Peter, I know you were disappointed in opening my old train set, but I want to explain something to you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You and your friends have a great time playing video games together and everything, but I didn't want to see you have to have video games to make you happy and have fun."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There are other things that, at least in my view, are more beneficial to you in the long-term than playing a few video games.” “Like what dad? The games are cool, sometimes you get to blow things up and the explosions are really neat!” “Well, how about reading a book for instance.” “That isn’t much fun.” “Why? Because you don’t get to blow things up?” “Well, yeah.” “Ok, I understand that watching things blow up can be fun to watch but, after you have played a game a few times, you always know what is going to happen, right?” “Yes.” “Well, what if you had to create the whole scene in your mind, as you see it.” “What do you mean?” “For example, an author writes about a building being blown up, for construction purposes, let’s say."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, as you read what the author is telling you, you form a picture in your mind, right?” “Yeah, I do.” “Ok, well guess what. The picture that you form is different from the picture that your mother or I form reading the same words."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Whereas in your game, if your mother or I played the same game, we would see the same scenes you see."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No one needs to use their imagination because the scene is being presented to you right on the TV screen.” “Where are you going with this” Brandi asked. “Ok, I think I understand what you mean dad.” They came to a stop outside a large, two-story house in a neighborhood that was unfamiliar to Brandi and Peter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "At the curb, there was a mailbox with the name Williams affixed in stick-on letters. “Where are we” Brandi asked? “This is Bob’s house. You know my co-worker Bob and his wife Sandy; you’ve met them a few times.” Bob answered the knock at the door an ushered everyone inside."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“Does this have anything to do with what we talked about at work yesterday” Bob asked? “Yes, it does. It pretty much went like you thought it might Bob.” “I tried to tell you.” “I know, I know."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I think you have the key here though.” “Ok, well, if you and Peter will follow me to the basement, I have something to show Peter.” “Aren’t women invited?” Brandi asked with a grin on her face. “Of course, of course."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Doubters one and all are welcome” Bob responded with a laugh. Leading the way, Bob flipped on light switches as they descended the stairs to the basement. “Whoa!” exclaimed Peter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“What is that?!” “That my son, is what you can do with a model train set when you use your imagination.” Before them lay a vast, small scale landscape complete with buildings, cars, trees, bushes, street signs, people and nearly anything else that you could imagine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Running around the entire landscape, past the city and through a tunnel, was a miniature train. “Bob has been interested in model trains since he was your age. I was too, when I was your age and still am. I haven’t taken it to the level that you see Bob has though."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Take a close look, to build something like this takes a lot of time, energy and patience. The attention to detail that people like Bob put into their layouts is amazing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "In fact, Peter, sometimes train layouts like this are used in movies.” “No way! Really? This is so cool!” “I have to agree” Brandi chimed in, “it looks very impressive when set up like this.” “Thank you” Bob said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“One of my favorite parts of model trains is that you can choose whatever era you like, do a bit of reading about the time frame and then you just put your imagination to work and build your layout to match what you see in your mind.” “Can we build this at home, dad?” “We’ll see, we need to check with the boss first” Frank said with a chuckle and a wink at Brandi. “I think maybe we can work something out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This was a nice surprise for him Frank.” After a few hours of questions, examination of Bob’s train layout and securing the promise of technical assistance with their own layout, the Scott’s headed home."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Both Frank and Peter were happy and excited in their own way at how Peter’s seventh birthday had turned out.."
}
] |
[
{
"from": "system",
"value": "Write an interactive story with {{user}}."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By Any Other Name"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It was adorable, the way she sat there working her way through her letters with chalk on the antique ‘silent book slate’ I made for her from a mini chalkboard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She didn’t need to practice the alphabet; she had learned to read and write over two years ago, but her penmanship was improving, so I didn’t say anything. She was dressed in the white ‘nightdress’ I had made for her in the fashion of the seventeen hundreds. My little Betty is lucky I like crafting."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, right. She asked to be called Elizabeth since that’s the name of the main character’s best friend in her favorite series, the American Girl Felicity books. It’s really nice to see someone so young interested in history, but no one her age does it quite like Elizabeth."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She’s read every single Felicity book that American Girl has put out over the course of their three reboots, and she does her best to live them. “Elizabeth, dear, it’s time for bed.” I tried to speak formally when I could because she loved it so much."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Yes, Mother.” She jumped to her feet and did her best imitation of a curtsy, and then turned to erase her slate and put it and her chalk away."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She picked up the small battery powered candle lamp that my mother somehow found for her seventh birthday last week, and balanced it carefully as she walked up the stairs. She had known better than to ask for a real candle holder, but this suited her just fine."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I briefly wondered how long this would last, and if I should be looking up renaissance camps just to see if my husband and I could afford the costs."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I had previously thought that perhaps we could take her to a renaissance fair instead, but I didn’t like how they had turned into a ‘how low can I wear my dress without being indecent’ contest. Then again, perhaps the renaissance wouldn’t be exciting for her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "After all, Felicity and Elizabeth weren’t born until the late seventeen hundreds. The next morning, when Betty came downstairs, I was getting off the phone. Drew was making toast."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Elizabeth looked from me to her father, smoothed out the yellow dress she had chosen to wear to school, and shook her head. “You and your newfangled inventions.” We all laughed. She learned that word from her grandmother, who liked to complain about how fast the world changes."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elizabeth smiled proudly and sat down at the table. “Please pass the orange juice.” “Are you sure you don’t want chocolate milk?” I was drinking some, and somehow it would feel less childish if my child had some too. “Mother, the technology for that didn’t exist yet."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Felicity and Elizabeth didn’t have chocolate milk. May I have orange juice?” “Of course.” Drew answered for me. He got the carton from the fridge. “What are we going to do with that child?” Drew asked as I walked back inside after dropping Betty off at school. I shrugged."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“She’ll probably grow out of it. At least she’s not obsessed with a time when they believed children should be seen and not heard.” Drew nodded thoughtfully. “Maybe we should see about a camp for her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A normal one, where she can make friends that are both from this century and not fictional.” We had heard a lot about her ‘best friend Felicity’, but she had also said she hadn’t met her yet because Felicity and Elizabeth don’t meet until they’re nine in the books. “Perhaps we should.” I responded."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“On that note, I think we both should be heading out now.” When I picked Elizabeth up from school later that day, she was quiet the whole ride home. I had to keep checking the mirror to make sure she was still there, and hadn’t slipped away at the last stop sign."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But she was still there, buckled despite the fact that they didn’t have cars, much less seatbelts, in the seventeen hundreds, and staring silently out the window. “Elizabeth, how was your day?” “Shannon said I’ll never meet Felicity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She said she’s not real.” She spoke quietly, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to be heard. “Is Felicity real? Or is Shannon right?” “Sweetheart, there are lots of people named Felicity in the world. Felicity Merriman may not have ever lived, but you’re not Elizabeth Cole. You’re Elizabeth Clark."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So maybe in a couple years you will meet Felicity Morris, or Felicity something else. Maybe Felicity won’t even be her first name, but you will meet someone eventually who will be as good a friend to you as Felicity was to Elizabeth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Okay?” I pulled the car into the garage and then turned to look at my daughter. She nodded. Over the course of the next week, I never once saw her writing on her little slate."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She wore more modern pajamas, and she accepted chocolate milk and things like that that hadn’t existed in the eighteenth century. I thought perhaps her phase was over, that Shannon had forced Elizabeth to outgrow her cute olden day phase much too quickly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And then one day I was sewing a new skirt for Elizabeth in a simple modern style when she walked hesitantly into my office. “Mother?” she began, “would you teach me to sew?” “Elizabeth, you’re much too young to use a machine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Maybe in a few years if you’re still interested.” “What about with just a needle and thread. They didn’t have machines yet back then.” I smiled, oddly happy to have my daughter sound like she wished once again to be in the seventeen hundreds."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "“Are you sure you won’t hurt yourself? Needles are very sharp.” “So I’ll use a thimble,” she offered, “please?” “Elizabeth, thimbles are extremely annoying to try to work with. I don’t know how to use a thimble.” I thought for a bit."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "“I can start you with crocheting or knitting, and then you could use a yarn needle to sew yarn patches together. Yarn needles are bigger and they’re not sharp because the holes already exist, but it’s the same technique. Would that do for a start?” “Thank you, Mother."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Can we get yarn in red, white, and blue?” I smiled, “That’s very patriotic of you. Got a specific project in mind?” My little girl nodded happily. “An American flag.” “Okay, I’ll pick some up tomorrow. Do you have any homework today?” She shook her head, and then headed for the doorway."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Elizabeth stopped and turned back to face me. “One more thing,” she said. “Could you call me Betsy?”."
}
] |