Mariano's Great Escape

Welcome to #[''Mariano's great escape.''] Before you begin, there are some details you should know: * Mariano serves with the Republican Army's 'Anti-gas' brigade' * His father and cousin are involved in underground political groups that wreak havoc on Spain. * He always carries two sets of papers. In his right pocket he has the PSUC (Spanish Communist Party) identification pass. In his left pocket he carries the FAI (Anarchist resistance) identification pass. You will need to remember this information if you want Mariano to survive. Thoughout this journey you will be presented with seemingly insignificant choices that will decided whether you live or die. Choose carefully. (text-style:"blink")[[I am ready to play]]

It's another day in Catalonia. The Spanish Civil war rages on. Each day the Nationalist army advances closer to the Republican front. As a member of the Republican resistance, you cycle to Barcelona for 20 kilometers from your family's remote farm house in L'Ametlla del Valles. To avoid your bike being stolen, when you're in the city you travel by tram to the central office on the Eixample Avenue. You get on the tram. The middle carriage feels too crowded. Would you like to move to the front or back carriage? [[Move to the front carriage]] [[Move to the back carriage]]

Great! This carriage is much emptier. You find a seat opposite a mother and her young child. child is hungry. you have an apple that your wife gave you for breakfast in your coat pocket Do you give her the apple? [[Offer the apple to the girl]] [[Ignore her comments. You just cycled 20 kilometers, you probably need it more than her]]

As you enter the back carriage you see a familiar face. Your old neighborhood priest! You take a moment to remember life before the war. Living in the city, your wedding, your lovely sunlit appartment. You can't help but feel angry about all that you have lost in just four years. You take a seat opposite the priest. If he recognizes you he isn't showing it. He is in disguise, if he had his robes on he would already be dead. At the next stop two men board the trams. You can tell by their armbands that they are members of the FAI militia. They begin checking papers. When they reach the priest, he gives them his pass. You are shocked to see that he has somehow acquired anarchist papers. The tall officer with a bushy moustache sees you staring and grumbles, (text-colour:red)[//“What’s wrong? Got something to tell us?”//] You take a breath and say, [[“ssssir … ttthat man … hhhhhe’s -aaa … priest…”]] [["I was just...admiring your mustache"]]

You take the apple out of your coat pocket and hand it to the girl. Her mother thanks you and the girl digs in. At the next stop two men board the trams. You can tell by their armbands that they are members of the FAI militia. They begin checking papers. First they check the woman's papers. Then, they move on to you. It's time to show the pass, but which pocket has the FAI pass and which has the CPE pass? [[You reach into your right pocket]] [[I think it was in my left pocket]]

At the next stop two men board the trams. You can tell by their armbands that they are members of the FAI militia. They begin checking papers. First they check the woman's papers. Then, they move on to you. It's time to show the pass, but which pocket has the FAI pass and which has the CPE pass? [[You reach into your right pocket]] [[It's in my left pocket!]]

Suddenly the priest jumps out of his seat and tries to jump off the tram. Before he can do so another officer grabs him and brings him back to his seat. The officers look at eachother and detain both of you. You are brought to a dark warehouse and questioned. You are taken outside and told to get on your knees. You notice the priest is knelt on the other side of the dusty courtyard. An officer with a gun slowly walks past you and points it at the priest. He asks, (text-colour:red)[//“do you have any last words?”//]. The priest starts praying. (text-colour:red)[BANG.] The courtyard gets quiet again. Now the gunman moves towards you, asking the same question. Before you can respond you remember there is someone that could help you. One of your family members is a subgroup of the FAI. They were an original member of the CNT (anarchist union group) in the late twenties. But who was it? You look the FAI officer in the eye and say with confidence, [[// “My uncle Josep Maria, CNT member won’t be pleased that you’ve got his family at gunpoint” //]] [[// “My cousin Josep Maria Junior, CNT member won’t be pleased that you’ve got his family at gunpoint” //]]

The officers move on to you. (text-colour:red)[//"Where are your papers funny man?"//] It's time to show the pass, but which pocket has the FAI pass and which has the CPE pass? [[You reach into your right pocket]] [[You reach into your left pocket]]

As you pull out the pass your heart drops to your stomach...it's the wrong pass! You are brought to a dark warehouse and questioned. They search you and find two passes in your pockets. Hours pass as you sit in pure darkness. Suddenly, you are taken outside and told to get on your knees. A militia gunman moves towards you. Once he is standing over you he asks, (text-colour:red)[//"Any last words?"//] Just as you're about to accept defeat you realize there's someone who can help you! One of your family members is in a subgroup of the FAI. They were an original member of the CNT (anarchist union group) in the late twenties. But wait...who was it? You look the FAI officer in the eye and say with confidence, [[// “My uncle Josep Maria, CNT member won’t be pleased that you’ve got his family at gunpoint” //]] [[// “My cousin Josep Maria Junior, CNT member won’t be pleased that you’ve got his family at gunpoint” //]]

The gunman is taken aback for a moment. Then he quietly whispers something to an officer by the door. Slowly he begins to grin and says, (text-colour:red)[//“I knew Josep Maria. He died in the factory fires seven years ago. When you see him tell him Quim says hi”.//] (text-colour:red)BANG. You are dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

The gunman is taken aback for a moment. Then he quietly whispers something to an officer by the door. He leaves to make a call. He returns with your cousin next to him. When he sees you Josep Maria Jr says (text-colour:green)[//“Mariano, what the hell did you do? Your wife will be so angry"//.]” Then, he turns to the other officers and says (text-colour:green)[//“I’ll take care of this”.//] You spend the night in the city with him in his cramped apartment in the Gracia district. You make your way back to the bike lot, it's been a long night and it's time to go home. [[Pick up your bike]]

The officers look at the pass and nod in approval. Phew, glad you made the right choice! You're still a couple stops away from your destination but that pass check has left you unsettled. Do you want to stay on the tram and risk someone else checking your papers? Or will you get off now and take a long walk back to your bike? [[I'll stay on the tram. What's the worse that can happen?]] [[Let's get out of here! It's sunny out today, at least I'll have a nice walk]]

The tram is quiet for the next two stops. Then, just one stop before you're supposed to get off, two men dressed in soviet-inspired uniforms board the tram...uh oh... It's the CPE officers! They start moving through the carriage until they reach you. (text-colour:red)[//"Papers please"//.] Reluctantly, you reach into your right pocket and hand it to the officers. They nod in approval and start to move away. Just then, the little girl says, (text-colour:red)[//"Mommy, why does the man have two different passes in his pockets?"//] The guards hear this and search you, finding the passes. If only you had given the apple to the girl, maybe it would have kept her mouth shut. You are out of options, all that's left to do is [[RUN]]

Eventually you get to your stop. It's time to go home, [[Pick up your bike]]

You run through the tram to the front carriage but there's another officer waiting there. When he sees you he reaches for his gun. Think fast! What should you do? [[Jump off the moving tram]] [[Try to tackle the officer before he shoots you]]

You move to the door and stand on the gate before jumping off and rolling to the ground. You stand up and begin to run but you feel sudden pain in your back. Something bright red starts spreading around you. You try to move away but the pain is getting worse. Turning around you realize the officers that checked your papers shot you. With their guns still pointed they ride past shouting, (text-colour:red)[//"TRAITOR"//] (text-colour:red)BANG. You are dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

You lunge towards the officer and push him to the ground. Just as you're about to take his gun, you feel sudden pain in your back. Something bright red starts spreading around you. You try to move away but the pain is getting worse. Turning around you realize the officers that checked your papers shot you. (text-colour:red)[//"You traitor"//] (text-colour:red)BANG. You are dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

The officers inspect your pass and give you a small nod, moving onto the other carriages. That was a close one but next time you may not get as lucky. Do you want to stay onboard and risk another pass control? Or will you get off the tram and take the long walk back to your bicycle? [[I'll stay on the tram.]] [[Let's get out of here! It's sunny out today, at least I'll have a nice walk]]

The officers look at the pass and nod in approval. Phew, glad you made the right choice! You're still a couple stops away from your destination but that pass check has left you unsettled. Do you want to stay on the tram and risk someone else checking your papers? Or will you get off now and take a long walk back to your bike? [[I'll be fine on the tram]] [[Let's get out of here! It's sunny out today, at least I'll have a nice walk]]

The tram is quiet for the next two stops. Then, just one stop before you're supposed to get off, two men dressed in soviet-inspired uniforms board the tram...uh oh... It's the CPE officers! They start moving through the carriage until they reach you. //"Papers please"//. Reluctantly, you reach into your right pocket and hand it to the officers. They nod in approval and start to move away. The little girl looks at your pockets but says nothing. She's too preocupied with eating her apple. Eventually you get to your stop. It's time to go home, [[Pick up your bike]]

You start making your way back to your wife in the countryside. As you're cycling on the main road you hear distant shouts. A truck is coming towards you with others behind. As it gets closer you realize they are shouting something at you. Do you want to: [[See what they want]] [[Ignore them, it's been a tough couple days]]

You slow down and let the truck catch up to you. Finally you hear what they were saying, (text-colour:green)[//"They're here! Franco's army, they broke through the barrricades! If you're working for the Republican front you need to get on this truck before they catch you and kill you!"//] What will you do? [[Get on the truck]] [[Ignore them, maybe you can make it home before they catch up to you]]

You keep cycling but the truck comes up next to you. One man shouts, //"What the hell do you think you're doing? If you don't get on the truck right now you're a dead man"//. He asks the driver to stop and he pops the wheels of your bike. I guess he made that choice for you... [[Get on the truck]]

You throw your bike on the truck and it speeds off again. The men on the truck explain that there's a refugee camp in France, (text-colour:green)["// I've had word that if we make it past the border our army can regroup in Argeles Summer. We can keep the resistance going from outside Spain"//] After hours of driving you reach the border. You are met with French trucks and officers and before any of you can say hello they draw their weapons and detain you. Your group is taken to the coast. Right on the beach is a large quadrant made of barbed wire. It's already overcrowded but you are thrown in regardless. This can't be right! The French were supposed to help you stay safe...you need more information, maybe they'll move you somewhere else soon? Let's ask a guard. What do you want to know? [[When am I getting out of here?]] [[Is this really a refugee camp?]]

The guard smiles and replies in a broken accent, (text-colour:red)[//"probably never, not my problem Catalan scum"//] For seven long months you are trapped in the camp. Through cold and rain, disease and despair. You watch men die each day. You fight over food that's thrown over the barbed fence each day. You think about getting home to your wife each day. Winter turned to spring and now it's almost summer. You decide you've had enough. It's time to escape. But what plan will you choose? [[Pretend you're sick and get sent to the infirmary]] [[try to dig a hole under the rusty side of the barbed fence]]

The guard smiles and replies in a broken accent, (text-colour:red)[//"This is not refugee camp, you are in concentration camp you Catalan scum"//] For seven long months you are trapped here. Through cold and rain, disease and despair. You watch men die each day. You fight over food that's thrown over the barbed fence each day. You think about getting home to your wife each day. Winter turned to spring and now it's almost summer. You decide you've had enough. It's time to escape. But what plan will you choose? [[Pretend you're sick and get sent to the infirmary]] [[try to dig a hole under the rusty side of the barbed fence]]

The lack of food and water has already given you an ill appearance. To make your story believable you cut your palm with one of the sharp fence edges and cover your nostrils and ears, shouting in agony, [[I think I caught the virus! Please help me!]] [[MY EEEEARS IM BLEEEEEEDING]]

The plan is in motion. Every night for the next month you dig out sand when the guards take their breaks. one night you realize there's a problem. The fence was reinforced with concrete. You can't escape this way! Time for plan b. [[Pretend you're sick and get sent to the infirmary]]

A guard comes up to the gate saying, //"Don't be dramatic"// but after shining a light at you he tells two other officers to escort you to the infirmary. Once inside the nurse starts to treat you. With all the blood she needs to go next door to get more gauze. This is your chance to take a weapon to help you escape! Do you take, [[The Pair of gauze scissors on the desk]] [[The daisy paperweight holding down some documents]]

A guard comes up to the gate saying, (text-colour:red)[//"Don't be dramatic"//] but after shining a light at you he tells two other officers to escort you to the infirmary. Once inside the nurse starts to treat you. With all the blood she needs to go next door to get more gauze. This is your chance to take a weapon to help you escape! Do you take, [[The Pair of gauze scissors on the desk]] [[The daisy paperweight holding down some documents]]

You take the scissors and hide them in the inseam of your pants. When the nurse comes in she tries to continue cleaning you up but suddenly stops. She murmurs, //"I-I think I forgot something"// and walks out of the room. Seconds later, she's back with guards at he side. The guards question you about missing scissors. Even if you deny it you know they will search you [[Run, maybe you'll make it out!]] [[Hand it over]]

You take the paperweight and sit on it. When the nurse comes in she tries to continue cleaning you up but suddenly stops. She murmurs, (text-colour:red)[//"I-I think I forgot something"//] and walks out of the room. Seconds later, she's back with guards at he side. The guards question you about the missing paperweight. Even if you deny it you know they will search you... [[Run, maybe you'll make it out!]] [[Hand it over]]

You deny the nurse's accusation saying, (text-colour:navy)[//"look, this nurse must be blind, I could have sworn she set them down in the sink! if you don't believe me go see for yourselves"//] The moment the guards turn their backs you run out of the infirmary and into the shrubbery opposite the beach. You remembered seeing a forrest not far from here. If you're careful maybe you can make it! You see some rocks and tall tress up ahead. Do you, [[Hide behind the rocks]] [[Climb one of the trees]]

The guards thank you for your cooperation and shoot you in the chest. (text-colour:red)[''BANG.''] You're dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

You Hide between a rock and a large tree. if they stay on the cleared ground they may not see you. But you forgot one key detail. The sand from your shoes has left a trail. The French orricers follow it straight to your hiding spot. They grab you and throw you to the ground saying, (text-colour:red) [//"This is what happens when you try to escape"//] (text-colour:red)[''BANG.''] You're dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

You find the tallest tree and pull yourself up with the little energy you have left. Luckily, you have lost so much weight that any branch can hold you! Good thing you hid up here, a few seconds later the officers start searching the ground below but with no luck, they turn back saying they'll search again in the morning. You wait for a couple of hours and make your way to the forrest. The next challenge will be crossing the border. Will you, [[Stay close to the coast and cross on the sea side]] [[Take your chances crossing the mountains]]

You walk between the shrubs and the coast but soon realize that yours was not the only camp. If you get any closer the French may see you. You need to turn back and [[Take your chances crossing the mountains]]

Yes! The mountains. This is where you're most comfortable. Before the war your family would vacation in Southern France and go on daily hikes. If you can make it to the Spanish side of the border it should be around 160 kilometers away from your home. You want to get there quickly but you need to stay hidden. The French police will be on the lookout. Will you, [[Travel during the day]] [[Travel only in the dark]]

This feels easier, you are able to cover more ground quicker. You can easily find fruits seeds to keep you sustained, and you can almost see the Spanish side of the border. Three days in you find a lovely clearing. Next to it is a stream with what looks like fish swimming in it. That will make for a good dinner! You walk towards the stream only to be shot. The French have found you...probably should have stuck to nights. (text-colour:red)[''BANG.''] You're dead. (text-style:"shudder")[[Go back to the start]]

This is a scary week for you. At the start of the journey you trip over twigs and can only rely on moonlight if the sky is clear. After a few days you begin to use other senses. Your hearing to find streams, your smell to avoid possible campsites. Your feet are more accustomed to this woody terrain. Even with holes in your shoes you persevere. Eventually you see a trail sign in the distance...IT'S WRITTEN IN CATALAN The sign points to different directions but there is only one that matters. L'Ametlla del Valles is only 10 more kilometers away. As you reach your village the sun is rising and you see the distruction the Nationalist caused. Neighbour's houses burned to rubble, bomb sized holes in roofs. But your home is still standing. Welcome home. [[You knock on the door]]

No one answers. You knock a few more times before you see someone peeking through the side window. Then, the door bursts open. //"Mariano, it's you! You're alive?!"// [[You are speechless. All you can do is embrace your wife]]

(text-colour:lime)[= Congratulations! You have survived the Spanish civil war and made it home safe you your wife. ''Mariano's Great Escape'' Is based on the true story of the creator's great grandfather who carried two identification passes while fighting for the Republican front. He was also imprisoned in the Freach concentration camp and walked more than 160 kilometers without a compass to get back to his wife. While he was gone she gave birth to a baby girl and they later had more children, among which was the game creator's grandmother.