The Beach That Makes You Old

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(size:2)[''DISCLAIMER''] I haven’t seen the movie Old (2021). I will not watch the movie Old (2021). Please don’t try to discuss the movie Old (2021) with me. This game is not about the movie Old (2021). [[PROCEED->TITLE]]]

Hello! Welcome to The Beach That Makes You Old Visitor Access Portal. Please choose from the following menu: > [[Request a visitation window->visitation 1]] > [[Access patient information->information 1]] > [[Get directions to our location->directions 1]] > [[Register as a Visitor in our system->register 1]] > [[Speak to a representative->speak 1]]

Hello, we see you'd like directions to our facility. The Beach That Makes You Old is a treatment facility that specializes in those who have nowhere else to go. We work with patients that have exhausted the medical resources available to them in trying to diagnose or treat what ails them, and so must turn to a new path. We believe that there is always a cure, you just haven't found it yet. We take a holistic approach to treatment by introducing complete control of one's environment. Only through making every change or adjustment to one's world deliberately will patterns or problem areas be properly identified. Once they've been identified, they can be effectively eliminated. Because of our unique methods and the resources required to maintain them, information regarding our location is carefully monitored. In order to access it, we will need to verify your connection with a current patient. > [[Proceed to verification->verification]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

Hello, we see you'd like to register as a visitor in our system. In order to register as a visitor, we'll need some information from you! Please fill out the following form to begin your registration process. > [[Take me to the Visitor Registration form]]

Hello, we see you'd like to speak to a representative of The Beach That Makes You Old. Please input the Designation Identification Number (DIN) of the employee that you would like to speak to, and we'll check on their availability. > [[Input the DIN]]

Hello, we see you're attempting to request a visitation window. While most facilities designate specific time periods as "visitor hours", we prefer to accept visitors on a case-by-case basis during a 24-hour cycle. This allows us to more closely monitor the whereabouts and activites of our patients and their guests. In order to reserve your timeslot, please proceed with your Visitation Identification Number (VIN) > [[Proceed->visitation scheduling]]

Hello, we see you'd like to access patient information. In order to best assist you, please let us know if you are accessing your own records, or accessing records on someone else's behalf. > [[My own records->own]] > [[Someone else's records->someone else]]

go through the registration process. don't give them anything real. make it all up because these fuckers have a long memory. trust me. i'll help you get a proper "VIN" at the end, as long as you promise to reserve a specific window for me. help me help you, ya know? > [[sure]] > [[no i hate you and am perfectly comfortable condemning you to death here]]

We’re sorry, but due to [[system maintenance]], patients are currently unable to access their own records. If you have immediate questions regarding your treatment plan, please contact your Doctor on Shift (DOS). If you have immediate questions regarding your medications, please contact our in-house pharmacy directly. Otherwise, check back in 24 hours. > [[Contact my Doctor On Shift (DOS)->Doctor On Shift (DOS)]] > [[Contact the in-house pharmacy->in-house pharmacy]]

Fantastic! Currently, only employees of The Beach That Makes You Old of a Clearance Level (CL) of 2 or greater are able to access patient records. Are you an employee of The Beach That Makes You Old of a CL of 2 or greater? > [[Yes->clearance]] > [[No->no CL]]

never believe this. they're ALWAYS lying. the only system they have is one they wouldn't dare forget to maintain because it's what's keeping us trapped here. i hope you won't need more warnings against this place's bullshit, but if you do, you'll see me again. at least you can be sure that you don't hate going through their convoluted menu nearly as much as i hate being here. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

The Doctor On Shift (DOS) can be contacted by using their Designation Identification Number (DIN). They will respond to your request in real-time using our secure chat system. If you contact the DOS during inactive hours, you will receive an automated response. Today’s Doctor On Shift (DOS) is Dr. Ella Payne M.D. You can reach Dr. Payne on MonSunFridays from 2:76am until 2:78am. > [[Locate the DIN of the DOS->Designation Identification Number (DIN)]] > [[Contact the DOS through our secure chat system->speak 1]]

Hello, we see that you're attempting to contact The Beach That Makes You Old Pharmacuetical Services. We are currently [[closed]]. If you have immediate concerns regarding a patient's medication, please contact the Doctor On Shift (DOS). Otherwise, please return to this page during business hours. We are open MonSunFridays from 2:76am until 2:78am. > [[Contact the DOS->Doctor On Shift (DOS)]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

Would you like to search our staff database for an employee's DIN? > [[Yes->staff database]] > [[No->NO staff database]]

these fuckers have never been open. i'm pretty sure the office is an empty shell that the staff uses to hide the [["""isolation patients"""]]. you're not supposed to have "concerns" about your medication. you're supposed to swallow the pills and drink the tonics like a good little sick person. you're not supposed to have concerns about anyone else's medication either. why would you share such personal information with someone? don't you know you should be ashamed? don't you know we should all be ashamed? > [[yes->yes ashamed]] > [[no->no ashamed]]

We're sorry, but our staff database is [[currently unavailable]]. Please try again later. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

We're sorry, please return to the main menu and let us know how we can help. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

lmao like that's gonna stop us. see how frustrating this place is? imagine being on the inside. imagine being fucked up and discarded in the name of a "better future" and they don't even have the balls to talk to you directly about it. you wanna help? get me a name and i'll give you the """DIN""". you won't get a real response from them but you might be able to do something else with it. [[give me that name]]

perfect! you are not gonna regret this!!! keep an eye out for my messages. don't listen to anything the they say. don't let them take any part of you. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

so you think prison is good? you think unwilling experimentation is ethical? you think disabled people belong in the trash? > [[yes i do]] >[[jk i'll help you->sure]]

sounds like you belong here. bye. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

oh my god ARE YOU AN IDIOT? you're lucky i got to this page before them. DON'T FUCKING UPLOAD YOUR ID!! you can't play their game and you can't expose yourself to them. they'll find some reason to take you in—some bullshit cause for """treatment""". places like this change their definition of "unhealthy" once a day. once they've labeled you trash, you'll never make it out of this dumpster. you need to find some way to get a DIN if you're trying to break into the system. [[now try again but be smarter this time->Visitor Access Portal]]

it was rhetorical, asshole. [[get bent.->Visitor Access Portal]]

i don't want to live like that anymore. i don't want to live like being alive is a failure, like i'm not alive in the "right" way. my body is a spluttering machine and my mind is melted plastic, but sometimes people are made of wheezing and acrid smoke—it doesn't make them anything less than people. they treat me like garbage because they think my parts need to be thrown out with the trash. we're supposed to trust them to fix the machine and remold the plastic, but that's too much effort for something like me. it's so much easier to pretend i can't ever be made "right" again. do you understand? > [[yes->yes understand]] > [[i won't let you say no->yes understand]]

every few days, someone new is labeled a "problem" and we all know that the "right" way to deal with a "problem" is to "fix" it. but how do you "fix" a "problem" that won't admit it's a "problem"? how do you "fix" a "problem" that won't respond to any "solutions"? you get rid of it so it doesn't [["infect"]] anyone else.

when you're alone for long enough, it starts to feel like you've never been anywhere else. it starts to feel like shapes and colors aren't as real as they once were. it starts to feel like time is jello. imagine someone doing that to you because they think it will make you forget how much you want to leave. imagine it "working". the worst part of all of this is when it [["works"]].

you've gotta get me out of here. i don't know how much longer i can pretend not to listen to them. i don't know how much longer i can fake my disbelief. everything hurts all the time. nothing they do makes it better and they keep acting like it should. i'm stuck in a body 60 years older than i want. i'm stuck in a mind too melted to fit into my brittle skull. i didn't mean to be bad like this, it just happened. i need to leave. please help me leave. > [[yes->sure]] > [[no->yes i do]]

then let's get to work. [[you'll see me again->Visitor Access Portal]]

Stupendous! We will need to verify your identity in order to determine that you meet these qualifications. How would you like us to verify your identity? > [[Upload a picture of my government ID]] > [[Input my DIN]]

(set:$DIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter your Designation Identification Number]],"")) (if:$DIN is "7777775")[Fantastic! Now we'll need your Clearance Level Code (CLC). > [[Proceed to enter your CLC->Enter your CLC]] > [[Learn more about Clearance Level Codes->Clearance Level Code (CLC)]] ](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct, please try again. > [[Try again->clearance]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]]

You will be asked to input your Visitor Identification Number (VIN), the Patient Identification Number (PIN) of the patient associated with your visitor account, and the Visitation Direction Code (VDC) you were given when registering for a vistation window in order to verify your identity. >[[ Proceed->input VIN]] If you are unable to provide this information, please return to our menu to acquire it. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]

We're sorry, but you are unable to access patient records at this time. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

Each time a staff member of The Beach That Makes You Old gains a new Clearance Level (CL), they are prompted to create a personalized code that is used as the "key" to access information of that CL. If you are having trouble remembering your CLC, please contact our support staff by selecting the "Speak to a representative" menu option. (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

yeah that's a big fat lie. they just don't want to do anything about your "concerns" so they'll ring you around in circles unless you're already one of theirs. if you try to get a VIN, they'll ask for legal ID. YOU DO NOT WANT TO GIVE THEM THAT. swing for the CLC, i'll see what i can do about getting it to you if you promise to do me some favors. what do you say? > [[yeah->sure]] > [[no->no i hate you and am perfectly comfortable condemning you to death here]]

We're sorry to hear that. We will need to verify your identity in order to determine your VIN. How would you like us to verify your identity? > [[Upload a picture of my government ID]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

We're sorry to hear that. In order to secure your CLC, you will first need to verify your identity using your Designation Identification Number so that we may ask you your chosen security questions. > [[Verify my identity using my DIN]]

(set:$childhoodpet to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[What was the name of Dr. Shoal's childhood pet?]],"")) (if:$childhoodpet is "Creaky")[Fantastic! > [[Proceed to the next question->second question]]](else:)[(font:"Klee One")[this one's easy, he never fucking shuts up about how we should all behave like his "sweet and studious Creaky". i don't know why its name was creaky! i've never cared less about something. > [[try typing that. don't forget to capitalize it->Verify my identity using my DIN]]]]

(set:$wormnumber to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[How many worms were housed inside Project Whalefall as of exactly three months ago?]],"")) (if:$wormnumber is "46")[Stupendous! > [[Proceed to the next question->third question]]](else:)[(font:"Klee One")["project whalefall" isn't an experiment. she's a corpse. one of the women from the adult ward started talking about parasites inside of her, but we all thought they were just fucking with her medication again. they were fucking with //something// alright. they tried...growing things in her brain. and those things spread to the rest of her. she collapsed in the middle of the cafeteria. all the greens saw her (i was on yellow that day, so i had to stay in the ward. a part of me is thankful i didn't have to watch it happen. another part of me wished i could've seen her get out.) they quarantined her body in one of the isolation rooms and now we see some blue-gloved suit go in for "data collection" every few days. she'll be nothing but a cluster of molecules and she still won't be free—[[not really.]]]]

the answer is 46. > [[try it->second question]]

(set:$bloodtype to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[What is the majority blood type of patients present at The Beach That Makes You Old?]],"")) (if:$bloodtype is "O negative")[Your Clearance Level Code is (font:"Courier New")+(text-style:"expand","outline")+(size:1.5)[3708]. Please make note of your CLC in order to avoid having to complete verification again. The safety and security of our patients is only as good as the safety and security of our valued team members. Have a good day, Dr. Payne! (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]](else:)[(font:"Klee One")[do you think they count our dead? is "project whalefall" a patient or a volunteer? how many corpses are still being stolen from? how many bodies are piled into isolation rooms? i know the answer on all the paperwork. i know the answer on the brochures and the commercials and the magazine ads. i know what they want you to say. but whatever numbers they give—whatever stats they qualify—know that they're always lies. the foundation of this facility is built on shaky, blood-soaked ground. without the right pretty words, it'll topple right over. no one wants to know what actually goes on here. so many of us aren't living anymore but we're still patients. so many more are taking our places. there is no actual majority blood type on record. only some throwaway line to appease the curious hoarders of "fun facts". put O negative. i don't know the truth and i don't know how you could use it if i did, but they seem to think it's something worth keeping secret. but what the hell do i know, they probably just like lying. > [[try it->third question]] ]]

(set:$DIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter your Designation Identification Number]],"")) (if:$DIN is "7777775")[Thank you, Dr. Payne! Please answer the following security questions in order to complete the verification process and gain access to your CLC. > [[Take me to the first question]]](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct. Please try again. >[[Try again->Forgot my CLC]] [[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

Hello, Dr. Payne! What kind of patient would you like to access records for? > [[Take me to active patient records]] > [[Take me to inactive patient records]]

Please select from the following list of active patients under your care: > [[B.R.P]] > [[L.K.E]] > [[A.C.D]] > [[D.R.O]] > [[P.W.F]]

Please select from the following list of inactive patients under your care: (text-style:"bold")[(cycling-link:"ERROR","UNABLE TO LOAD","PLEASE")] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

''Name:''(text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[anamedan] ''Designation: ''A.C.D ''Patient Identification Number (PIN):''(font:"Courier New")+(text-style:"expand","outline")+(size:1.5)[264428] ''Date of birth:'' Unknown ''Date of admittance:'' Birth ''Reason for admittance:'' Birth ''Unit:'' LT Care 52B ''Recorded diagnoses:'' (text-style:"bold")[(cycling-link:"ERROR","UNABLE TO LOAD","PLEASE","please","fuck offffffffffffff")] ''Recorded symptoms:'' Chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, gallstones, liver lesions, intestinal paralysis, reduced lung capacity, fragility, paranoia, hallucinations, delusional thinking, crying spells, desire for praise, lack of respect for authority figures, suicidal ideation, escapist ideation, fear of care, panic attacks, flashbacks, hopelessness, advanced body age, obesity, avoidance of medical treatment, willfull ignorance of the world around her, uncontrollable urges, destruction of property, destruction of self, destruction of others, physical manifestations of unpleasant emotions, desire to avoid pain, desire to cause pain, dissociation, lack of personality, unwillingness to compromise. > [[Return to active patient records->Take me to active patient records]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

(set:$VIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Input your Visitation Identification Number]],"")) (if:$VIN is "66688842")[Welcome to The Beach That Makes You Old! We think it's wonderful that you would choose to visit our facility and bring a little joy into the lives of those we help. Please select the nature of your visit from the list below: > [[Personal]] (font:"Klee One")[(pick this one)] > Professional > Philanthropic > Other](else:)[We're sorry, but that [[does not appear to be correct]]. Please try again. > [[Try again->visitation 1]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]]

''Name:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''Date of Birth:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''~~Social Security number:~~'' (font:"Klee One")[yeah i don't think so] ''Marital Status:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''Relationship to The Beach That Makes You Old:''(dropdown:bind _origin,"Friend","Family","Lover","Enthusiast","Activist","Other") ''Reason for visiting:''(input-box:"XXX==") ''Favorite childhood memory:''(input-box:"XXX==") ''Most beloved family member:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''Biggest regret:''(input-box:"XXX==") ''How many siblings do you have?''(dropdown:bind _origin,"1","2","3","More than 3","None") ''How many siblings do you love?'' (dropdown:bind _origin,"1","2","3","More than 3","None") ''Predicted year of death:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''Desired year of death:''(input-box:"XXX=======",1) ''Rate your desire to die on a scale from 0-5'' (dropdown:bind _origin,"0","1","2","3","4","5") > [[Proceed to sign digitally->Digital signiature]]

i'm hope you were smart enough to put fake answers for that. my access to the system is pretty limited (and you don't want to know what i had to do to get here), but i can cook you up a proper VIN without your form having to go through "the process" i can't tell you what they have to gain from knowing any of that, not for sure. in the broadest sense: power. in the most specific sense: i really hope no one ever has to fucking find out (but i know there must be someone who already has) i'm sorry to that person. i'm sorry to you. i'm sorry that you can't live in a world where this doesn't happen anymore. i'm sorry that know what it's like. i'm sorry that you didn't know before. thanks. for helping. here's your VIN: 66688842 now [[let's fuck them up->Visitor Access Portal]]

Fantastic! We're always happy to welcome those close to our patients to see how their lives have improved with the help of our facility. Please proceed to enter the Patient Identification Number (PIN) of the patient that you would like to visit. > [[Proceed->visiting a.c.d]]

(set:$PIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter the Patient Identification Number]],"")) (if:$PIN is "264428")[You've entered the PIN of patient A.C.D As she is currently in our Isolation Unit, her allowed visitation hours are limited. Please select from the following visitation windows available. Once selected, you will be given a Visitation Direction Code (VDC) in order to gain access to directions to our facility and the building where A.C.D's visitation is permitted. > 12:04 AM > [[01:28 AM]] (font:"Klee One")[(pick this one)] > 04:52 AM](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct. Please try again > [[Try again->Personal]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]]

You've selected 01:28 AM for your visitation window. Please note: due to the strict schedule of our patients in order to facilitate treatment, you will need to arrive within 1 minute of your visitation window or else you will need to reschedule to a later date. The following items are not permitted inside our facility. If you are found in possession of these items within The Beach That Makes You Old, you will be escorted out and asked not to return. * Written materials (books, newspapers, magazines, flyers, etc,) * Images not attached to a form of identification (photographs, posters, prints of artwork, paintings, etc,) * Food or drink of any kind * Drugs of any kind (including prescription and over-the-counter medication) * Weapons or tools that could be used as weapons (knives, screwdrivers, guns, etc.) * Technology not being used as life-saving medical equiptment (cellphones, cameras, MP3 players, calculators, etc.) * Containers or bags (handbags, boxes, purses, backpacks, etc.) We reserve the right to deny entry to any visitors that do not comply with our requests By clicking the link below, you agree to follow all of the rules and regulations of The Beach That Makes You Old > [[I agree]]

Stupendous! We're so excited to host you. In order to gain access to our facility, please visit our main menu and select the option "Get directions to our location" Once selected, you will be prompted to verify your access by entering a series of Idenitfication Codes. Here is your Visitation Direction Code (VDC), which should be the final Identification Code necessary to complete your visitation process. (font:"Courier New")+(text-style:"expand","outline")+(size:1.5)[496775] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

The following are directions to The Beach That Makes You Old[[.....]]

The following are directions to The Beach That Makes You Old[[.........................]]

The following are directions to The Beach That Makes You Old[[..............................................................................................................................................................................]]

sorry about that. who knew fucking with the system would make it lag so much? i have to admit it feels pretty good that that's something i can know now. but this is it. this is the end of the line. this is the big finale. you've done everything i asked of you and i can't express how grateful i am, or how fucked up it is that i'm so grateful that someone listened for once. but we don't need to get into that right now. i haven't spoken out loud to another person in 12 days. you're the only reason i haven't gotten creative with my suicide attempts. from the bottom of my heart: [[THANK YOU]]

there's only one thing left for you to do. get yourself to this place, go through the visitor motions. prepare for a few more passengers than you arrived with. i'll take care of the rest. and when i'm free, consider trying this again someday. hopefully soon there won't be many people left who need it. it was a pleasure breaking out with you, person i know nothing about. [[let's keep doing the work->FINAL SCENE 1]]

The air conditioning lays gooseflesh foundations on your arms, stacking the anticipatory chill higher and higher up your spine. Your fingers on the steering wheel feel like metal clamps left out in the snow for too long. A part of you wishes you could see them rust. How many hours does it take to become a braver person? Probably more than the 4 and a half it took to drive to the combination insane asylum/pre-pauper's grave/eugenics playground that is your destination. How brave does a person have to be before they don't want to piss themselves when they're 3 minutes away? Does bravery even matter? You hope not. You hope the fact that your foot is still on the gas matters more. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 2]]

The Beach That Makes You Old looks like every Amazon warehouse you've ever seen, but with slightly more armed guards. You're (link-reveal:"waved at through a window.")[ You (link-reveal:"show your credentials.")[ You're (link-reveal:"waved in through a gate.")[ You're (link-reveal:"waved at through another window.")[ You (link-reveal:"show your credentials.")[ You're (link-reveal:"waved in through another gate.")[ You're stopped by a uniformed man and a uniformed dog. You show your credentials and (link-reveal:"pretend not to feel naked without your phone in your pocket.")[ (link-reveal:"You're waved through a gate.")[ You don't know when it's supposed to happen, but that thought makes the sweat dripping down your neck stream faster so you put it out of your mind. Instead, you try to remember how many people you managed to fit into your car when you were 19 and didn't know how to say no. At least 7, maybe 9 if no one minded being elbowed in a few unpleasant places on the drive back. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 2.1]]]]]]]]]]

As you're sitting in a plastic chair that feels a bit too much like it was made for a kindergartener, (link-reveal: "an alarm sounds in the distance.")[ Then (link-reveal:"another alarm sounds down the hall.")[ Then (link-reveal:"another in the visitation room next to you.")[ Then (link-reveal:"a guard bodily shoves you out through a back door,")[ into a room thankfully lacking in blaring alarms. Unfortunately also lacking in windows. The air is stiff around you. You wonder how long you'll be trapped in this room. You wonder if they'll ever let you leave. You try to stop thinking about things like that. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 4]]]]]]

Just as you decide to slide down the wall to sit on the cold floor, the door you were pushed through opens a crack. The breeze you feel is a trick of your imagination, you know, because the outside world is behind too many inches of concrete to be comfortable, but it's still marvelous. Wide-eyed and cautious, you lift a hand to the door and (link-reveal:"pull it open another sliver.") [ No more alarms start blaring. You (link-reveal:"pull the door open a hair more.")[ Silence. One deep breath later you (link-reveal:"yank the door as hard as you can and")[ take a flying leap towards something resembling an exit. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 5]]]]]

The hallway is long and intimidating, but you see another door cracked open at the end of it and you (link-reveal:" follow it for the beacon that it is.")[ More doors open to unfamiliar halls, and you (link-reveal:"keep pushing through them")[ to find another door open on the other side. The walls feel less oppressive, the lack of windows (link-reveal:"less disheartening.")[ (link-reveal:"There's always another door open at the end of the hall.")[ Eventually, you're led to a different gate than any of the ones you were waved through on your way in. This one isn't locked. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 5.1]]]]]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(size:3)[''THE END''] [[START OVER->TITLE]] [[CREDITS]]]

(size:2)+(b4r-colour:#443301,#443301,#443301,white)[''CREDITS''] Written and developed by (link:"a.c.d")[(gotoURL:"https://www.acd.works/")] Edited by (link:"a.c.d")[(gotoURL:"https://www.acd.works/")] with help from (Link:"Darwin")[(gotoURL:"https://lavendermochagames.itch.io/")], (Link:"Levi")[(gotoURL:"https://hornedgod.tumblr.com/")], Jeannette C, and nico :) Title taken from jokes about Old (2021) dir. by M. Night Shyamalan, the first of which originated with (link:"this tweet")[(gotoURL:"https://twitter.com/JEBermanator/status/1417255718650929152")] Joke that inspired me to make that the title of the game and name of the institution depicted made by my partner as they took me to a very scary doctor's appointment Background images taken from the (link:"David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries")[(gotoURL:"https://www.davidrumsey.com/ll/thumbnailView.html?startUrl=%252F%252Fwww.davidrumsey.com%252Fluna%252Fservlet%252Fas%252Fsearch%253Fos%253D0%2526q%253Dauthor%253D%22Heck%252C%20Johann%20Georg%252C%20-1857%22%2526bs%253D10")] [[RETURN TO TITLE->TITLE]] [[CONTENT WARNINGS->CWs]]

(append: ?Sidebar)[ (link:"SAVE")[ (if:(save-game:"Slot A"))[SAVED] (else: )[SAVE FAILED] ] (if: (saved-games:) contains "Slot A")[(link: "LOAD")[(load-game:"Slot A")] ] (link: "RESTART")[(reload:)] [[CREDITS]] [[WARNINGS->CWs]] ]

(size:2)[''CONTENT WARNINGS''] * Human experimentation * Medical abuse * Institutionalization * Death * Parasites * Brief references to self harm, suicide * Ableism and internalized ableism * Solitary confinement [[RETURN TO TITLE->TITLE]] [[CREDITS]]

(align:"=><=")+(box:"X")[(font:"Roboto Mono")[(size:3)[''THE BEACH THAT MAKES YOU OLD'']] (font:"Klee One")[(size:2)[(b4r:"solid","none")+(b4r-colour:#443301,#443301,#443301,white)[by a.c.d]]] [[START->Visitor Access Portal]] [[CREDITS]] [[CONTENT WARNINGS->CWs]]]

(set:$DIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter the Designation Identification Number]],"")) (if:$DIN is "7777775")[We're sorry, but "Dr. Payne" is not available at the moment. Our staff are currently hard at work making sure our patients recieve the best quality care, but our support team is available 24/7 to help meet your needs. Please select your primary concern from the following menu in order to for us to best assist you. Some options may be unavailable [[depending on your region]] > [[Forgot my VIN]] > [[Forgot my CLC]] There are no other options available.](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct. Please try again. > [[Try again->speak 1]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]]

(set:$doctorname to (prompt:[(font:"Klee One")[last name only, lowercase please]],"")) (if:$doctorname is "payne")[god i fucking hate her. she's been my doctor since i got to this place 6 years ago. one time she tried to keep me in an MRI machine for 3 hours to see if it would "exposure therapy" me out of my "neurotic claustrophobia" it didn't. the DIN is (font:"Courier New")+(text-style:"expand","outline")+(size:1.5)[7777775] do me a favor and [[do something fucked up with it.->Visitor Access Portal]]](else:)[that doesn't look right, [[try again->currently unavailable]] [[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

(set:$CLC to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter your Clearance Level Code]],"")) (if:$CLC is "3708")[Stupendous! Your identity has been verified. > [[Proceed to patient records->actual patient records]]](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct, please try again. > [[Try again->clearance]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]]

(set:$VIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Input your Visitation Identification Number]],"")) (if:$VIN is "66688842")[Fantastic! > [[Proceed->input PIN]]](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct. Please try again. > [[Try again->verification]] [[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

(set:$PIN to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter the Patient Identification Number associated with your visitor account]],"")) (if:$PIN is "264428")[Stupendous! > [[Proceed->input VDC]]](else:)[We're sorry, but that does not appear to be correct. Please try again > [[Try again->verification]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ] ]

(set:$VDC to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Enter the Visitation Direction Code you were given when scheduling]],"")) (if:$VDC is "496775")[The following are directions to The Beach That Makes You Old[[...]]](else:)[We're sorry, that does not appear to be correct. Please try again. > [[Try again->verification]] [[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

[(set:$DS to (prompt:[(font:"Roboto Mono")[Sign your full name digitally below]],""))][(show:?ds)][(font:'Klee One')[i hope you were smart enough to put fake answers for that. my access to the system is pretty limited, but i can cook you up a proper VIN without your form having to go through "the process" i can't tell you what they have to gain from knowing any of that, not for sure. in the broadest sense: power. in the most specific sense: i really hope no one ever has to fucking find out (but i know there must be someone who already has.) i'm sorry to that person. i'm sorry to you. i'm sorry that you can't live in a world where this doesn't happen. i'm sorry that i know what it's like. i'm sorry that you didn't know before. thanks. for helping. your VIN is (font:"Courier New")+(text-style:"expand","outline")+(size:1.5)[66688842] now [[try to get us the hell out of here->Visitor Access Portal]]]]

''Name:''(text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[brndomcrem] ''Designation: '' B.R.P ''Patient Identification Number (PIN):'' (text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[number] ''Date of birth:'' Unknown ''Date of admittance:'' 21st Birthday ''Reason for admittance:'' Birth ''Unit:'' LT Care 54B ''Recorded diagnoses:'' PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION BLANK ''Recorded symptoms:'' Loss of reality, loss of sense, loss of time, loss of respect, loss of humiliation, loss of confidence, loss of sense, loss of first memory, loss of second memory, loss of sense, loss of future-hope, loss of hope, loss of friendship, loss of desire, loss of action, loss of sense, loss of power, loss of desire for power, loss of need for power, loss of will, loss of sense > [[Return to active patient records->Take me to active patient records]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

''Name:'' (text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[lemkera] ''Designation: '' L.K.E ''Patient Identification Number (PIN):'' (text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[number] ''Date of birth:'' Undetermined ''Date of admittance:'' Approximately 1 year from today ''Reason for admittance:'' Undetermined ''Unit:'' LT Care 68C ''Recorded diagnoses:'' Undetermined ''Recorded symptoms:'' Symptoms have not begun presenting yet. > [[Return to active patient records->Take me to active patient records]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]] ]

''Name:'' (text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[droobn] ''Designation: '' D.R.O ''Patient Identification Number (PIN):'' (text-style:"blurrier","condense","upside-down")[number] ''Date of birth:'' 02/03/1938 ''Date of admittance:'' Today ''Reason for admittance:'' Necessary intervention ''Unit:'' LTC 70E ''Recorded diagnoses:'' (text-style:"bold")[(cycling-link:"DATA INCOMING..","DATA INCOMING...","DATA INCOMING........","DATA INCOMING.............................","ERROR")] ''Recorded symptoms:'' Inability to feel well, inability to think well, inability to be well, hostility towards wellness, hostility towards labeling hostility, hostility > [[Return to active patient records->Take me to active patient records]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

''Name:'' Project Whalefall ''Designation: '' P.W.F ''Patient Identification Number (PIN):'' Not applicable ''Date of birth:'' Unknown ''Date of death:'' Not applicable ''Date of admittance:'' Death ''Reason for admittance:'' Birth ''Unit:'' LT Care 001402A ''Recorded diagnoses:'' Project ''Recorded symptoms:'' Ability to produce and sustain living organisms, ability to produce and sustain non-living organisms, ability to consciously maintain internal biology, unconciousness, coma, willful death, tragedy, willful public relations incidents, lack of oxygen, dehydration, organ failure, heart failure, failure. ''Status:'' Failure > [[Return to active patient records->Take me to active patient records]] (text-style:"italic","bold","expand")+(text-size:1.5)[[[RETURN TO MENU->Visitor Access Portal]]]

The room they put you in is colder than your car. Your limbs contemplate going numb in the chill. You wish they'd let you keep your watch so you'd know how long you've been sitting here. Or your phone. This wait wouldn't be as agonzing with a few rounds of Tetris under your belt. Who're you kidding? If you tried to do anything but stare at the wall, your heart would collapse in on itself. Your pulse is pounding under your fingers as is. How old do you have to be to have a heart attack? That line of thinking brings bile crawling up your throat, so you cast it aside. You're not here to catastrophize over your own medical problems, you're here to stop people from being...//whatever's happening here// because of their own. Your skeleton feels like someone set it to vibrate, but you're determined not to move. If you move, you might try to leave. You know you aren't going to leave. You can't. You won't. [[>>->FINAL SCENE 3]]

Even after only an hour inside The Beach That Makes You Old, the moon's never looked as bright or the stars as shining. You take a minute to breathe in air that tastes like trees. The harshness of antiseptic sits at the back of your throat, but you ignore it as you take another lungful of the outside world. Your heart hasn't stopped pounding, but it's harder to be worried now, looking up at the stars. The night sky greets you warmly. Moonlight illuminates the maze-like parking lot where your Honda Civic lays idle. You've already snaked a hand into your pocket to check for keys before you remember that you left them in the glove compartment. Headlights flicker on in time with another deep breath. Playing on the radio is the faint sound of a pop song you got stuck in your head for hours last week. You don't mind hearing it now. As you approach, a hand bathed in shadow stretches out from the passenger seat. It gives you a thumbs up. (font:"Klee One")[we made it.] [[>>->FINAL SCENE 6]]