Dialogue
medieval fantasy
I wrote this piece, “Eating’s Good,” as an exercise set in a generic medieval fantasy setting not unlike those of many popular video games. The scenes represent ambient dialogue that plays sequentially as the player passes through the same zone over the course of the game. Unpublished.
Eating’s Good
Scene one
The player character is walking around a tavern and passes by a pair of war refugees.
REFUGEE 1
Is there nothing better than this slop? How can I be inspired if this is what I'm forced to eat?
REFUGEE 2
Rather eat this than starve... Inspired?
REFUGEE 1
Rejuvenated, aroused, stirred to passion! Oh, at least there is a certain nobility in starving. But I do long for the pies back in Sylvaine.
REFUGEE 2
You mean the Sylvaine that burned to the ground?
Scene two
The player character again passes by the refugees in the tavern some time later.
REFUGEE 2
If you don't eat that, then I will.
REFUGEE 1
I can hardly force it down... I used to play the drum. Do you remember? I bought one in Benton after the harvest. The merchant said it was a drum fit for a court bard.
REFUGEE 2
Are you joking? I never once heard you play that drum.
REFUGEE 1
I was going to take lessons!
REFUGEE 2
So you don't have your precious drum no more. Geraldine over there—lost her boy. Thomas his eye. We all lost something. We're the losers. Eat, by god!
Scene three
In the tavern, the player character passes by the refugees one last time.
REFUGEE 2
At least you're eating today.
REFUGEE 1
Yes, I suppose I ought to. After all, there's little worse than Cousin Barney's homemade stew back home.
REFUGEE 2
Yeh, you could never keep it down for long.
REFUGEE 1
Look here—a new baker arrived yesterday. I acquired for you a spice cake.
REFUGEE 2
Did you? It smells nice. Will you have some with me now?
REFUGEE 1
It would inspire me.
The end.