Your eyes flash from a brilliant white to a seemingly normal office. Motel art hangs from the walls, and a squirrely man sits behind the desk in front of you. He holds up a manila folder in front of his face. As he lowers it, he gasps and grabs his chest. A somewhat monotone, british voice emerges.
"Ah! Oh, it's you."
He checks his watch. Taps it a few times, and holds it to his ear.
"Well, that would explain it. I didn't notice that your clock had stopped."
He quickly rifles through his drawer and pulls out a series of note cards. He begins large swooping gestures and a forced, but nervous, enthusiastic tone.
"Good afternoon, sir or madame, and welcome to Limbo. Today, we are going to start your training in all things spectral and ghostly. My name is Regis and I will be your instructor."
He looks to you expectantly...
[[Nod in understanding]]
[[Stare at him wide eyed and mouth agape]]
[[I'm dead?]]"Great! So let's get started."
[[Continue]]"You know, I'm just gonna take that as a yes and move this train forward."
[[Continue]]"Of course you're dead. Don't you remember?"
An old reel projector appears and begins playing a video. You see yourself running through Washington Square Park in New York City. Your headphones are in. Quick cuts reveal you not paying attention, slipping on some black ice, and getting run over by a truck.
"Yeah, not the best death, but it landed you here. Which means you've got some unfinished business... Listen, I know this is a lot to take in. I mean, you only died 15 seconds ago."
[[This is all too crazy. Get up and leave the office.]]
[["Okay, so I'm dead. What now?"]]
[[Punch Regis in the face.]]You rise from your seat and head towards the door.
"That's not quite how this works."
As you fling the door open, you see nothing. A vast empty expanse of nothing.
"You have to think of where you want to go. Like this."
Regis steps over to the door, closes it, shuts his eyes for a moment, and flings the door open to reveal New York City in winter.
"This is actually where our journey was taking us anyway. Welcome to Possession 101."
[[Step through the door]]
[[Step back and insist there's some sort of mistake]]"Wow! Okay! That is really uncalled for. They did not train me for this."
Regis chuckles a little. Clearly unphased by your ghostly punch.
"Why don't you take a night to think about this, and we'll try it again tomorrow."
With that, Regis claps his hands twice in quick succession and the lights to the office turn off. You see only darkness for a moment, then the lights return, only you're in a waiting room. You see a sign above the door it reads...
[[Possessives]]Regis makes his way over to the door, but he stops short and closes his eyes for a second. He then flings the door open rather dramatically and reveals a New York cityscape in winter.
"Shall we?"
[[Step through the door]]You step through the door into the snowy street. It's exactly how you remember it. Nothing has changed. It doesn't even seem like a day has passed.
"That's because it hasn't. Sorry you're probably not used to the whole thought-reading thing. This is actually still the same day you died. Time works differently for us, but we'll get into that later. First things first..."
Regis begins walking away from you and pulls out a few more note cards. He turns to see you still standing there and gestures for you to follow him into Battery Park.
[[Follow]]
[[You're back! Make a break for it!]]"Wow... you're unusually shaken for someone who just found that they're dead and not going to any sort of afterlife besides wandering the Earth in a lonely state of apathy... Maybe you're not ready for this. Sleep it off and we'll try this again tomorrow."
With that, Regis claps his hands twice in quick succession and the lights to the office turn off. You see only darkness for a moment, then the lights return, only you're in a waiting room. You see a sign above the door that reads...
[[Possessives]]"Now, everyone who exists in Limbo does so because they have unfinished business. A long time ago Limbo was aqcuired by an outside corporation and they thought the best use of your eternity on Earth would be working for them. So you are gifted with a specific ghostly power and operate under the umbrella of Limbo Inc. We answer the calls of people who need some sort of Spectral presence. Most of the time you'll be working with an angelic or demonic entity, but worry not, you're contract protects you from them."
By this point you've exited the park and are now standing in front of a large bank building on Wall Street.
"You're a possessive. You can take over the body of any creature that lives on this planet. However there are a few ground rules."
[[Lay them on me]]
[["I have to go... inside other people?"]]You high tail it down the street, but even as you round the corner, you see Regis waiting for you. You circle around and see that he is standing in every direction you turn.
"Now, if you're quite finished, can we get along with things?"
[[Follow]]"Glad to see someone's getting into the //spirit// of things."
Regis chuckles to himself, then his smile fades.
"I'm sorry. It's my first day and I'm really struggling with the "make it my own" aspect of this job. Anyways, the rules are pretty simple. You can possess anyone you want, but if they find out you're in there, you can't talk to them, and you must vacate immediately. If you get called in for a job, you have to take it, regardless of the contractor. And lastly, your spirit and all of its subsidiaries are owned and bound to Limbo Inc. a subsidiary of Xfinity, which in turn is a subsidiary of NBC. It's all in your welcome packet. Which reminds me, can you sign your welcome packet really quickly?"
A large spiral bound document appears in your hands as well as a lovely inkwell pen.
"You can keep the pen if you'd like."
[[Sign the document]]
[[Don't sign the document]]"No my friend. You GET to go inside other people. Possession is one of the greatest things you'll ever do. You get to live the life of another person. You gain their memories, their emotions, their thoughts. They have no idea you're in there influencing every single move. It's like you're alive again. Which leads me to those rules I mentioned..."
[[Lay them on me]]Just as quickly as your pen finishes the last stroke of your name, the document disappears and you find yourself inside the vast marble lobby of the bank.
"Now, you might be asking yourself, "Why a bank, Regis?" It's simple really. Souls have a stronger will when morals are more prominent in the decision making process. A stronger will makes it harder to possess said body. So, we brought you to the place where the souls have the weakest hold on the human body. Lehman Brothers the day you died. December 1, 2007. Have a look around and when you see someone you want to take for a ride, just step inside."
As you look around the lobby you find your eyes drawn toward a business man in a hurry, a woman who seems to be carrying a box of belongings out of the building, and a police dog on duty.
[[Businessman]]
[[Businesswoman]]
[[Businessdog]]"Woof. I thought we'd gotten over this whole "trust issue" thing. Well, suit yourself. But, if you don't sign, then you can't do your job. And if you can't do your job, you'll probably be..."
Regis looks around nervously, then leans in and whispers
"Reassigned."
A gasp is heard, seemingly out of nowhere.
[[Sign the document]]
[[Don't sign]]"Have it your way then."
The pen and document disappear and the world around you begins to fade away.
"Reassignment isn't the most pleasent of situations."
Slowly, as if the world were made of wax, the surrounding city melts around you until you find yourself faced with nothingness. The voice echoes in your head more ethereally now.
"You will receive a re-evaluation in 100 years."
... The nothingness seems like an eternity, when suddenly out of nowhere, you find yourself in a waiting room. You look up and see a sign reading...
[[Possessives]]"Well, now you can //really// start living."
Regis chuckles slyly to himself.
[[Continue]]Standing at the elevators, is a rushed looking businessman. His dark hair is slicked back meticulously, and matches the color of his suit. He wears a perfectly pressed blue shirt with French cuffs and a red and navy striped tie. He nervously looks at his watch as he taps his foot frantically on the marble floor. There's something in his jacket...
"C'mon c'mon..."
[[Possess Businessman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessdog]]As you approach, you notice small streaks of water running down the woman's face. Her eyes are slightly puffy. Slight squeaks and cries can be heard through her attempts to muffle them. She has light brown hair and green eyes. A quick look inside the box shows some family pictures. A husband. Two kids. A dog. She starts to make her way toward the exit...
[[Possess Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessdog]]The dog seems to take notice of your presence. He doesn't bark, and he doesn't wag his tail. He just silently acknowledges you. He's a large German Shepherd with piercing black pupils. He looks on guard, checking out everyone in the lobby.
[[Possess Businessdog]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessman]]As you step forward into the man's body, you feel a surge of energy and emotions. Your mind is flooded with pictures of Harvard business school and lost love. You hear music you haven't heard in years and smell freshly baked pie. You also see the mistakes that he's made, the regrets he has, and, maybe even more telling, the one's he doesn't.
The elevator arrives and the door opens. There is a small keycard dangling from your belt.
[[Step in and swipe the keycard]]
[[Stay in the lobby]]As you approach, you notice small streaks of water running down the woman's face. Her eyes are slightly puffy. Slight squeaks and cries can be heard through her attempts to muffle them. She has light brown hair and green eyes. A quick look inside the box shows some family pictures. A husband. Two kids. A dog. She starts to make her way toward the exit...
[[Possess Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessdog]]The dog seems to take notice of your presence. He doesn't bark, and he doesn't wag his tail. He just silently acknowledges you. He's a large German Shepherd with piercing black pupils. He looks on guard, checking out everyone in the lobby.
[[Possess Businessdog]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessman]]As you step forward into the woman's body, you feel a surge of energy and emotions. Your mind is flooded with images of your life growing up. You see your best friends from college, your MBA, your husband and two kids. You see... something you weren't supposed to. You knew you weren't the best person, but you couldn't let that happen.
You look out on the lobby of the building you've worked in for five years now.
[[Walk out of the building and into the car you know is waiting outside]]
[[Take the elevator up and confront the men who fired you]]Standing at the elevators, is a rushed looking businessman. His dark hair is slicked back meticulously, and matches the color of his suit. He wears a perfectly pressed blue shirt with French cuffs and a red and navy striped tie. He nervously looks at his watch as he taps his foot frantically on the marble floor. There's something in his jacket...
"C'mon c'mon..."
[[Possess Businessman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businesswoman]]
You changed your mind [[Look at Businessdog]]As you step forward into the dog's body, you feel a surge of energy and emotions. Your mind is flooded with thoughts of bones and hydrants, but also of duty, responsibility, and loyalty. You are the protector of this place. No bad people can be here.
You look over and see a woman crying, she is not bad person. She does not deserve this.
You sniff the air and see man waiting at rope rocket. He has a no no toy in his pocket.
[[Lead your handler to the woman]]
[[Lead your handler to the man]]The elevator doors slide closed and you get one last glance at the woman who you got fired. The elevator selects the top floor from your keycard swipe and you begin moving up. You feel cold steel in your pocket. A trigger.
After what seems like an eternity, you step out to be greeted by your executives.
"Congratulations, Dan. We couldn't be prouder. And, to thank you for keeping our doors open and our company out of the mud, we want to welcome you to your new office."
You look past them to see a top floor, corner office. The dark leather chair and glass top desk wait for you. You feel the gun that you managed to smuggle in.
[[Thank them and send them on their way]]
[[Say you can't accept their generous offer and leave]]
You wonder what would happen if you tried to kill people in this body [[Start shooting]]You turn and see Cathy, the woman you got fired, standing with her box of belongings from her desk.
[[Walk up to her and tell her the truth]]
You changed your mind. [[Go to the elevator]]You nudge your master in the direction of the woman. He looks from her to you.
"That's okay boy. She's harmless."
[[She needs help. Pull free from your handler.]]
[[Lead your handler to the man]]You nudge your master towards the man waiting for the rope rocket to go to the top of the big house. You calmly sit next to him, as your master begins going through his routine.
You see him pull out the no no toy, and lock his shiny leashes around the bad man's hands.
Your master returns and gives you pats. You have been a good boy today.
"Have you gotten the hang of it yet?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from the body of the dog. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You step outside to see a Honda minivan waiting for you. The familiar face of your sister is in the Driver's seat. She runs out of the car and throws her arms around you.
"I'm so sorry, Cathy. We're gonna make them pay for this."
[["Would you mind just taking me home?"]]
[["You're right. We will."]]
[[Set down your belongings in the car and walk back into the building.]]You rush over to the elevator as the doors are closing and barely manage to jump inside. You collect yourself and look up to see the face of your co-worker Dan. He seems uneasy and uncomfortable around you.
"Hi Cathy. I'm sorry to hear about what happened. But, I don't think this is such a good idea."
The elevator slows to a stop and you hear the familiar "ding". The doors open to reveal a group of executives, seemingly waiting for Dan.
[[March forward and threaten them with going public and filing a lawsuit]]
[[Dan was right. This isn't a good idea. Stay put]]You continue to tug and find a moment to break free.
You run to the sad woman as your master calls your name to come back.
The woman has a box of toys just like you. She's crying over them. A bad man must have hurt her.
[[Walk up to the woman and place your head on her lap]]
[[Walk back to your master]]You step through the door into the office where you began.
"Now, let me bring you up to speed..."
[[End]]The woman looks into your eyes. She seems surprised, but she is happier now. She smiles at you, and pats your head.
"You're a very good boy."
You smile back and your tail wags. You have been a good boy today.
"Have you gotten the hang of it yet?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from the body of the dog. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You return to your master, and notice the man standing by the rope rocket to the top of the big house.
[[Lead your handler to the man]]
[[Return to your guard post]]You return to your master and sit at his side waiting to guard whatever comes next. You have been a good boy today.
"Have you gotten the hang of it yet?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from the body of the dog. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]She shakes her head and opens the door for you.
[[Get in the car]]She looks at you with confidence and a grin.
"Yeah we will."
She opens the door for you.
[[Get in the car]]As yoiu walk back into the building, the man is nowhere to be seen. You do catch the elevator light stopping at the top floor.
[[Head back to the car]]
[[Follow him up the elevator]]Your sister waits perched in the Driver's seat. The front door is open and ready for you to go.
[[Get in the car]]By the time you've reached the elevator doors, they've closed. You reach for your keycard, but the reader doesn't seem to take it. The security guard calls out to you.
"Ma'am. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."
A different voice rings out in your head.
"Little indecisive, aren't we?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]The car pulls away from the bank. After what feels like an eternity of silence, your sister speaks once again.
"You know you can talk to me Cathy. What happened? Should we get a lawyer?"
[["It's nothing. I mean... there's nothing we can do about it. Not now at least."]]
[["They fired me because I found something. Something they don't want anybody to know about... I don't even think people will believe me."]]
[[Stay silent]]The men leave with some more congratulations and pats on the back. You're alone in your luxury high rise office. You think back on how you got here and feel the cold metal trigger in your right hand.
You wonder what would happen if you were to kill the body that you were inside, and no sooner did you have that thought when suddenly you feel yourself ripped from your host body.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
"Oh, and don't kill your host while you're inside. It scrambles the system. Two souls leaving a body on death? Who knows what would happen?!"
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]As you turn your back to them and make your way to the elevator you hear grumbles of disapproval, then...
"How dare you turn your back on us! We made you! If you walk out that door, you're fired!"
[[Keep walking]]
[[Turn back to tell them off]]
Turn back and [[Start shooting]]. They deserve itYou pull out the gun from your jacket and begin to fire off round after round toward the executives, but before any bullet can reach its target, the scene freezes around you.
"Holy shit man. I didn't know you were gonna pull a Punisher on the first day. Entertaining with a hint of disturbing. I'm into it."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]Your sister remains silent for a moment.
"I don't know what to say... This just sucks."
She pulls the car into the driveway. Then you hear the familiar voice of Regis.
"Had your fun?"
You feel yourself ripped out of Cathy's body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the house, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]"What did you find? Can it help with your case? Maybe we can get you your job back."
[[Tell her the whole story]]
You don't want anymore trouble. [[Insist that it's not worth it]]After a long pause, Regis' voice echoes in your mind.
"You know, people usually do a lot more than this on their first time possessing someone."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from Cathy's body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]Just as soon as you finish explaining everything to her, you hear a familiar British tone.
"Having fun?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from the Cathy's body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You hear the familiar voice of Regis cut through the silence.
"Well, this seems touching."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from the Cathy's body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]"Do you feel good about yourself?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You turn and start to lay into the executives when you hear a familiar voice echo in your mind.
"Bravo! Quite the performance! You know, you're really getting the hang of this."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from tyour host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You storm up to the greying men in suits and lay into them. You threaten the lawsuit and the press, and just when you're about to lay the final touch you feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body.. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it. Nice work in there. I really believed you for a second. Now we can get on to more important things."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]Double-click this passage to edit it."Aww, I thought I was going to get a show."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]You apporach Cathy, and confess. She looks at you with tears in her eyes.
"Then, you know too. We can't let this happen, Dan. People's lives are at stake."
[[She's right. It's time to make things right.]]
[[You can't live with this burden. Tell her she's on her own.]]The elevator doors open once more, but you turn to see a dog sitting behind you. The security guard is close behind.
"Sir, I'm gonna need you to step aside. What's that in your jacket, sir?"
A different voice echoes in your head.
"A little indecisive, aren't we?"
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]She smiles at you, and you walk to the elevator together. Just as the doors open, you hear a familiar voice.
"How touching..."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"Sorry, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]"Oof. Way to flip flop their chief. I can't watch this any longer."
You feel a forceful arm reach in and remove you from your host body. Your form goes numb, then you feel a tingling sensation, then... despair.
"I know, first time just needs to happen like a band-aid. When you leave a host body, it feels like dying again. Not the most pleasant experience, but you get used to it."
He begins walking toward the exit, and stops short of the door.
"Let's go. You've got your first real job. Don't worry... it's an easy one."
He motions for you to step through the door, where you can clearly see the mundane office waiting on the other side.
[[Continue through the door]]Play again? [[Possessives]]