Moral Compass: Black and White

Chapter 1 - Clocking Out

Christine Hermer's POV (First Person):

OptiSoft Studios of America, Los Angeles, CA, 90001, December 11th, 1995, 10:30 PM

Tick, tock, tick, tock. Sigh, look at the clock, back to my computer. Clicks and clacks for minutes.

Can't I do something useful for this company? OptiSoft has had ties with Nintendo for the past year, Christmas is near, and I've gotta be a part of something big. My dad always told me this coding could make me rich one day, and it's time I prove him right. But damn, why does coding have to be so hard sometimes? I already have trouble trying to make concepts with this head of mine; why can't this just come easy for me? I've been doing this since I was 12, and I still come across obstacles. Glitches, errors, unexpected program stops; I mean damn. Is this really supposed to be my thing?

Sigh...

Let's think of some ideas for a minute, Christine. You're a worker at OptiSoft, who has connections to Nintendo; the most popular gaming company in the world right now. What would be something that sells? Well, Nintendo's greatest succession as of ever is...Super Mario. Yea, that's it. Make a Mario game. But it's gotta be different from the rest.

Hmm...Maybe you can add minigames to it that can be purchased with those coins you collect in the levels. I always wondered why Nintendo only used them for points. Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes. As you complete levels, all of the coins you collect will be saved into a "coin balance". They'll still double as points, but they won't be lost until spent. Okay, I'm starting to like this concept. Let's write this down. I opened my notebook, and grabbed my pencil I had been fidgeting with when I was thinking of this concept. And as I thought, I wrote down everything I wanted for this game. The first thing I wrote down on the top of the paper was "Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins". The player would start off with 6 coins, gaining as much as they earned from the levels into their balance. They could purchase weapons and minigames with the coins they earn. The weapons would only be usable during boss fights, and the minigames would be accessible from the main menu. Perfect. Perfect! Finally.

This is your big break, Christine. A concept that people can get behind. How about you show this to your boss? Wait, what's that beeping? "Oh, crap! That's my signal to clock out!" I said so quietly, as I gathered my things, storing them in my backpack, clocking out as I walked out of the building with my hopes high. "Tomorrow," was the word that came from my mouth as I looked back at that building, with those big, white letters glowing from the light emitting in them. The beautiful building's letters read "OptiSoft of America" and "Established 1975" under it, appearing much smaller.

Perspective Change - 3rd Person:

As Christine entered her home, she was greeted by her black cat, Xoe. The little void had purple eyes with two larger than average fangs that poked out from under its whisker pads, and snowy white whiskers. Christine had adopted the fuzz ball 2 years ago after finding it on the side of the road. Finally, she spoke. "Mroww," the cat greeted. "Well hello, little Xoey. Aren't you just the cutest thing in the world?" Christine responded as she squatted down to reach Xoe's level, softly scratching that little soft spot under its jaw with her finger. The cat purred, and closed its eyes in response, as it felt Christine petting her. This was heaven to her. She didn't have anyone to bother her, free food and milk, and her owner always gave her top-tier treatment. This was the life.

About 30 minutes later, Christine walked out of her bathroom door with notable differences on her from when she entered her home. She had a bonnet over her head, a black compression shirt, and a black pair of basketball shorts. As she felt the air around her change from steam and high pressure to cool temperatures with a slight breeze from the fan. She felt calm from the overall atmosphere that her room created. It was her own personal domain for her thoughts, ideas, livelihood, and her cat. She peeled her bedsheets open, sliding underneath as she pulled them over herself. The lights were now off, and her eyes closed slowly, as Xoe jumped onto the bed; snuggling up to Christine, and the both drifted off into slumber.