Natalie puts a mug of coffee in front of you, which is how you know it's bad.
Natalie
My mom's coming to stay. Today. Noon. For two weeks.
(holding up her left hand, the ring catching the light)
You work from home, so you'll be with her all day. She's going to ask you things. Obvious things. You are going to answer them like a normal person.
At 11:12 there's a car in the driveway. Two suitcases, a cooler, a casserole and a ficus she has clearly brought as a gift.
Diane
Oh! You're home! Are you two inside?
Natalie
(behind you, very quietly)
Normal person.
Last time you said you were eloping. She cried for three hours.
The whole game, in five questions
She asks. You answer. Watch the ring.
Diane means every question kindly. Answer like a normal person, make a joke, or actually help her. Jokes are free. Hurting her mom is not.
Question 1 of 5
DianeAre you working?
Gone
Her suitcase is by the door.
Bev's convertible is idling in the driveway. Diane is in the kitchen, saying she's fine. In the story, this is where you'd have to fix it.
The house
Seven people. One guest room.
Your desk is in the guest room. So is Diane. Tap a mood to see it.
Diane Brooks
Her momIs that coffee?
Kind, nervous, an excellent cook. Asks if you're working while you type. Believes everything, then tells the group chat.
Natalie
Your fiancéeNormal. Person.
Smiles at her mother. Glares at you. Owns a dish towel and knows how to use it. Laughs at your jokes only when nobody's looking.
You
Works from homeIt's soup. I'm on a soup diet.
Grey hoodie, headphones, permanent coffee. Answers every question with a joke. Has fourteen days to stop.
Bev
Diane's best friendOh, he's funny. Diane, he's funny.
Gary
The neighbourMorning. Please mind the edging.
Jess
Across the streetDid we show you the wedding video? It's only forty minutes.
Marco
Also across the streetBest day of my life. Both thumbs.
Natalie has one rule
Diane never sees any of this.
Every joke has a price, and Natalie collects it while her mother's back is turned.
The dish towel. Diane is at the stove.
An elbow, mid-sentence. You choke on a meatball.
The look. You forget the end of the joke.
Under the table. Smile through it.
Diane is still waiting for the answer.
"We'll be right back, Mom!"
Pillow. Full swing.
She just read the group chat.
Already on your knees.
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On the fridge
It's not only jokes.
Help her cook. Sit through the wedding album. Stand up for her when the group chat gets mean. The ring climbs back, and Diane starts telling the group chat nice things about you. Tap a photo.
Question 1 of 5
