Here are a couple of excerpts that I thought would be fun to share from our upcoming visual novel, Pieces of Mind! Pieces of Mind is a visual novel about a psychologist after the end of a devastating war. (These are still rough drafts and subject to change before release)
Scene 1: John sees Naldi for the first time in years.
[John knocks on Gatz’ door]
[after a brief pause the door opens]
Gatz: Oh, hey John! To what do I owe this pleasure?
John: I’m on my way to the tavern and I thought you might join me for a drink.
Gatz: I’m still settling into the old digs. Maybe next time.
???: [from the background] Where does this fancy chair go?
Gatz: In the living room next to the couch!
John: Oh? Is that who I think it is?
Gatz: Yeah, Naldi’s here helping me unpack. Wanna come say hi?
John: Sure! I haven’t seen your little sister since I left for med school.
Gatz: I guess that’s the both of you, then—
Naldi: Daniel! You didn’t tell me we were having guests!
John: Damn, Naldi. Did you forget our deal?
Naldi: I am sorry; I have let you down. I will not do it again.
Gatz: What’s this about a deal? Why are you talking like that?
John: She didn’t like me cursing around her, so we made a deal. Now she can’t use contractions.
[Naldi enters the room]
Naldi: And he cannot say “Shit”.
Gatz: …Good to know.
[Brief pause]
Gatz: Wait… did you say “we” a minute ago? Did you move yourself in while I wasn’t looking?
Naldi: I doubt you would notice if I did.
Gatz: I wish I could not notice you from time to time.
[Naldi shoots Gatz a dirty look]
[Naldi turns toward John]
Naldi: Hello John! I have not seen you since I moved back!
John: O-Oh, you, uh… moved… I didn’t notice because I hadn’t seen you.
Naldi: I moved back a couple of months ago, but I have not seen many people since. I bought something of a fixer-upper. Who knew it would take so long to fix up? It also took time to move everything from my clinic in Troyton, so I have been quite busy. Now, I am settled in.
[pause]
Naldi: …You were being sarcastic.
John: Uh… Yes.
Naldi: Oh.
John: Gatz was saying I wasn’t the only one who went to med school, what’s your specialty?
Naldi: I specialize in neuroscience, but during the war, I mostly operated as a general practitioner.
John: What a coincidence! I specialize in psychology, but during the war, I mostly operated as a psychologist.
Naldi: That must have been quite a shift.
Gatz: Well, in any case, I’m glad this town finally has a doctor. When we were kids John had to talk me out of a broken leg.
Naldi: I do not recall you breaking your leg, Daniel.
Gatz: John talked me out of it.
Naldi: What a feat.
Gatz: No, it was a leg.
Naldi: Oh, pardon me. Of course.
[Naldi turns to John]
Naldi: In all seriousness though, you may not have been on the battlefield, but with people coming back from the war… How do I put this… Mending the brain is one thing; healing the mind is a battlefield of its own.
John: Hmm, I never thought of it that way. I guess we’re like two sides of a coin.
Naldi: You know what they say—“Birds of a feather…”
John: Shall we flock together then?
Naldi: Sounds delightful. Anyway, I need to get going. It was lovely seeing you, John! Make sure to visit Daniel again soon, otherwise his front door hinges may rust!
[Naldi exits the room]
Gatz: As long as my locks don’t rust.
John: Yeah… Naldi turned out quite lovely, didn’t she?
Gatz: Spare me the details, please…
John: Her raven hair… the delicate aroma of almond emanating from her person… her outright lack of regard for colloquialisms—
Gatz: The gun I keep behind the door…
John: One of these things is not like the others.
Gatz: Yeah, I hate almonds.
John: Observant as ever. But seriously, how are you adjusting?
Gatz: I’m doing okay, John. A lot’s happened since you left. It might be a lot to get into right now.
John: Yeah, that’s fair. But Naldi seems to be a bit worried, and now that I think about it, I haven’t really seen you out since you moved back. Take it from me, psychology degree aside, it’s not healthy to confine yourself—
Gatz: I’m not confining myself, John. I’ve only been back for three weeks. You can’t call me a recluse yet.
John: Emphasis on “yet”.
[Gatz glares at John]
John: Haha! I’m only joking. Okay Gatz, how about this? Tomorrow me and you will get lunch at the diner.
Gatz: It’s “You and I”.
John: Come again?
Gatz: “You and I” will get lunch at the diner.
John: Perfect! I’ll meet you there at noon.
[John exits the house]
[Gatz glares at John as he leaves]
Scene 2: Captain Roso tries to join an important military meeting.
[Captain Roso walks into General Kath’s office]
[Seated around a big table are General Kath, Colonel Wilson, and Professor Gideon]
[There are two empty seats, one next to Colonel Wilson, and one next to General Kath]
[Roso looks between the two empty seats for a second]
Roso: Does… it matter which seat I take? I assume not, right?
[Roso takes a step towards the seat next to Kath]
Roso: Wait… no, surely I’m supposed to sit next to the Colonel, not the General…
[Roso turns and takes a step towards the seat next to Wilson]
Roso: Or… maybe I should sit next to General Kath since I’m clearly supposed to be part of his squad in whatever this mission is… I’ve only met Colonel Wilson once, and I have no idea who this other guy is, but he seems important. Soo…
[Roso awkwardly pivots a second time and starts to walk toward the chair next to Kath]
[Kath glares at Roso, clearly annoyed]
Roso: Ah crap… Clearly I’ve made the wrong choice. Ok. I’m sitting next to the Colonel, final answer.
[Roso pauses for a second, turns towards the other chair, and begins walking towards it]
Colonel Wilson: Just… take a seat, buddy.
Roso: Oh… uh… right.
[Roso quickly walks up to the chair next to Wilson and sits down]
[Everyone stares at Roso for a second]
Roso: Proceed.
[Wilson smiles, Kath shakes his head, and Gideon is unfazed]
StegTech 