What Goes Around/Dialogues

One month after Ace enrolls in your school...
You sit with your friends in the packed auditorium, watching as Ace walks on stage to thunderous applause! You slump down in your seat.
MC: Ugh. Here it comes...
Ace: I gotta say, this last month at your school? Magic.
Ace: You welcomed me with open arms, elected me as your Council representative, supported my initiatives...
Ace: But we've got work to do. You've all heard. There have been... problems.
Ace: Just to name a few? Cafeteria food safety issues. The locker rooms found in violation of the fire code. Fights breaking out downtown, started by students from our school.
Autumn leans over to whisper...
Autumn: Our classmates wouldn't start fights! That can't be true!
MC: It isn't. This is just another Ace scheme to make our school look bad.
Sakura: After that recording leaked, no one really believed MC about Ace... and he cashed in on that to win the replacement election by a landslide...
Julian: The fact that everyone thinks Ace rescued the Hearst trophy sure didn't hurt his cred.
Sakura: Like, how clueless can people get? It just so happens that all these scandals pop up as soon as Ace takes over?
Sakura: If he makes us look bad enough, he'll get the Council to propose to the board that we shut down... and they'll do it.
Ace paces the stage, filled with restless energy. His voice rings out across the auditorium...
Ace: We have to clean up this school, set things right.
Ace: We just need the courage to trust and believe in each other... together, we can restore this school to its full potential.
Your classmates erupt into standing ovations! As everyone files out of the auditorium, you see Wes fall into step with Ace.
Autumn: It's weird, isn't it? Seeing them hanging out together?
As the two of them near you, Wes leans over to whisper to Ace, who breaks into a smile. They walk past you without a word.
Wes: ...
MC: ...
During lunch, you meet up with your friends in the Nerd Hangout.
Mia: Well, that assembly sucked.
MC: Yeah, it's all part of Ace's strategy... win the school's trust, then use that power to make our school look bad. But how do we fight back if it's my word against his?
Wes: Simple. We prove that those scandals are fake.
Wes slips in through the back door. He gives you a brief nod.
MC: Wes. Ace still buying your act?
Wes: Hook, line, and sinker.
After the assembly...
Your friends are all gathered in the Nerd Hangout. Wes settles down next to you on the couch.
Nishan: Hey, Wes. Welcome back from the dark side.
Wes: Oh, come on. I'm playing double agent to get close to Ace, not joining the forces of evil.
MC: And you're doing a great job! That time we fought in the quad for everyone to see... it felt so real!
Payton: Right? Just watching it made me soooo sad.
Wes: Any con man worth his salt can fake an argument. Tricking Ace into thinking we were on the outs was necessary... and now it's paid off.
Wes pulls out several papers and slaps them down on the table.
Autumn: Isn't that the city's official letterhead?
Wes: Copied them from the archives. These records show that our school passed health and fire code regulations as recently as a month ago.
MC: But after Ace took office, our cafeteria got shut down, and our locker rooms were cited as a fire hazard. And then these fights downtown...
Wes: Exactly. There's no way our school went from being just fine to a safety hazard in the span of three weeks.
Wes: From what I can tell, Ace has been making a lot of interesting phone calls. I'll bet he pulled some strings to get the inspection results changed to his liking.
Mia: So what do we do with this?
You look down at the papers, thinking over the last few weeks...
MC: We show it to the people.
Julian: Everyone's been too charmed by Ace to believe you, but maybe now...
MC: Yeah, these records show that all our problems only cropped up after Ace took office. It's the proof we need!
Looking out the window, you see a few of your classmates eating lunch on the quad.
MC: No time like the present. Let's get the truth out there.
Wes: Careful about going after Ace, MC. Everyone loves him. He's the new... well, you. Let the proof do the talking.
MC: Gotcha. No dissing Ace... yet.
Proof in hand, you head over to Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3.
Classmate 1: What's shakin', MC?
MC: Nothing much. I was just thinking about all the stuff that's been going on at our school. The fire code violations, the cafeteria shutting down, the fights...
Classmate 2: Yeah, I can't believe anyone from our school would go around starting fights! What happened to peace and love?
Classmate 3: I'm sure Ace has a plan to fix things. I mean, he worked out the yearbook budget problems with one phone call!
Classmate 1: Sounds like him. He secured a venue for our annual jazz showcase the same way. Ace is a real stand-up guy...
MC: Actually...
Choice
What do you say?
   Ace is behind all of it!
   Something suspicious is going on...
if "Ace is behind all of it!" then
   MC: Ace is out to get us. He's making our school look bad on purpose! He's got this whole revenge plot against our school and wants to shut us down!
   MC: Ace is the literal scum of the earth.
   Classmate 3: There's no need to be a sore loser about Ace replacing you on the Council, MC.
   Classmate 2: I heard that you didn't like Ace, but lying about him? That's low.
   MC: No! I--
   You pull out the health and fire code records.
   MC: See? Our school passed these inspections just a month ago. But right after Ace took office, all these problems appeared. That can't be a coincidence!
   Classmate 3: It is a little strange, but... Ace has done a lot of good for our school. Maybe it really is just a coincidence.
   Classmate 2: You're seeing things that aren't there, MC.
if "Something suspicious is going on..." then
   You pull out the health and fire code records.
   MC: Our school passed these inspection tests just a month ago...
   MC: But suddenly, our cafeteria gets shut down and our locker rooms are fire hazards? Don't you think that's a little weird?
   Classmate 3: The timing is a little strange.
Classmate 2: Yeah, our school started having all these problems right after Ace became our district council rep...
Classmate 1: You think maybe it's not a coincidence?
Classmate 3: But if that were true--
end
Just then, someone brushes past you to stand beside your classmates.
Ace: Is there a problem?
Ace glances through the fire and health code records. Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3 watch him anxiously.
Ace: So what's this about, MC? You can tell me. I don't bite.
MC: You know what this is about. Don't play dumb.
Classmate 3 shoots you a nervous look.
Classmate 3: Apparently, our school passed the fire and health code inspections just a month ago.
Classmate 1: But now we have all these problems... how did things go bad so quick?
MC: Because Ace joined our school. That's why.
Ace: MC is completely right. This is no coincidence.
MC: I... what?
Ace: When I assumed office, I did a thorough audit and uncovered a host of issues. Someone was very invested in covering them up.
MC: What are you saying, Ace?
Ace: MC, relax, it's fine! You were the driving force behind this school's growth! Of course you didn't want anybody to find out about all the problems that come with expanding too fast. No one blames you for letting them fester, right, Classmate 2?
Classmate 2: Is this true, MC?
MC: No! I...
Ace: Never mind that. Water under the bridge.
Ace: Thanks to my timely intervention, we can nip these problems in the bud. Get this school back on the right track.
Classmate 1: Word. A few hiccups won't stop us!
Classmate 2: It's gotta be tough work, playing the whistleblower... but I appreciate it, Ace.
Classmate 3: Yeah, we can't just ignore our problems! We have to fix them, and move forward!
Ace: That's the spirit. MC, why the underhanded tactics? If you have a problem with me, we can just chat. I always have time for you.
MC: Drop the act, Ace. We both know what you're really like.
Ace: So that's how it is. I respect you, MC, but not enough to humor you. Watch your step.
After school, you're studying in the library with Payton and Mia... but you're completely unable to focus!
Mia: ...I still can't believe he has the nerve to act like that!
Payton: Ugh. Ace is like a knock-off Gucci bag. One close look, and you know he's mega fake! Why can't people see the truth?
MC: We need stronger, more concrete proof. But Ace is too good at this--
Just then, Julian and Nishan burst in! Nishan collapses to the floor, wheezing.
Nishan: Turn on the TV... now!
Nishan quickly switches on the TV, turning up the volume on the local news channel. Julian paces around the library study room, agitated.
Julian: This is bad, MC. Real bad.
You turn your attention to the news. A reporter holds out a microphone to...
MC: Ace?!
Payton: Ew... not the face I want to see right now.
Ace looks straight at the camera as he discusses the latest scandal to plague your school.
Ace: Evidence suggests these acts of academic dishonesty have been going on for months. But rest assured...
Ace: I will do everything in my power to disband this cheating ring!
The sun sets outside as you watch the news broadcast, trying to process what you're seeing.
On the local news, Ace vows to destroy the cheating ring discovered at your school...
Ace: We hold a zero tolerance policy towards academic dishonesty. I won't let this incident tarnish the good reputation of our school.
The news switches to a shot of scowling district board members visiting your principal's office.
Nishan: It's not looking good for us. I heard that our entire school might have to retake our finals!
Mia: What?! I'm not going to retake any tests because someone else screwed up!
MC: This is Ace's doing. He must have framed our school for cheating. I didn't think he could sink any lower, but I was wrong.
The news switches back to focus on Ace. His voice breaks a little as he talks about how saddened he is by recent events.
Ace: As a Council representative, I can confidently say that this school is a treasure. A diamond in the rough...
Ace: And I will fight any proposed measure to shut it down!
Payton: Hold on, what? No one said anything about shutting down our school!
Nishan: Oh no... he's planting the idea in the district representatives' minds! He's trying to Inception them!
Julian: They won't fall for that... right?
The voices around you fade as your gaze is drawn to the screen. In the darkened room, all you can see is Ace looking straight back at you.
Ace: Some say that this school can't be fixed. That its students would be better served at other schools in the district...
Ace: But I don't think so. This school is meant for greatness!
Flashing a confident grin, Ace winks at the camera. You startle, chilled by a dawning realization...
MC: This is it. This must be Ace's final play to destroy our school.
MC: Ace is ready to get the district to shut down our school. We're out of time.
MC: We've got to stop Ace somehow!
Nishan: I looked it up, and the Council needs a unanimous vote to pass any measure petitioning the district board.
MC: Then we've still got a chance. We just have to get the other Council members on our side.
MC: Ace has Remi under his thumb, and Asher would love to see our school shut down... but I can talk to the others!
The following day, you take off the moment school lets out.
MC: Time to chat with the Council...
You find Owen and Zero shooting hoops on the Apollo Academy basketball court.
Owen: MC! What's up? You wanted to talk?
Zero: Sorry to hear about your school. Tough times, huh?
MC: About that... Ace mentioned a proposal to shut down my school. Would the Council really consider that?
Owen: I hate to say it, but... because of your school's problems, our district's been getting a lot of bad press. We've been rejected for several programs and grants already.
Zero: Everything that our district has achieved is being undermined.
MC: So my school gets thrown to the wolves? Is that it?
Zero: I don't like it either, but if it's for the good of the whole district... this is for your classmates' benefit as much as it's for ours.
Owen: It won't be so bad. Schools close all the time... and yours hasn't even been around that long. You guys would just transfer to other schools!
Owen: You're always welcome at Twin Branches, MC! We're cool, I promise.
Zero gives you a sympathetic smile.
Zero: We'll make sure to really think this through. It'll all work out.
MC: Somehow, I don't think that's the case...
You track down Kara at cheerleading practice on the Hearst football field. When she catches sight of you, she turns away, hiding her face.
Kara: What do you want, MC? Don't you have anything better to do than follow me around?
MC: I'm not--
MC: Never mind. I need to know... can I count on you to vote against any proposal to shut my school down?
Kara: Sorry, MC. But your school isn't exactly BFFs with Hearst. I'm happy to see your school drop off the face of the earth.
MC: Kara, I know we've had our differences. But there's a school full of people I care about that's going to close its doors forever. There's nothing I can do to stop it now, but you can--
You reach to touch Kara's shoulder, but she pulls away. You notice the faintest tremble in her hand.
Kara: I can't, okay? Because I don't want to.
MC: Kara...
MC: Does... does Ace have something on you?
Kara: I... I don't know what you're talking about. Now get out of here. I have to practice.
MC: Kara, please.
Kara: I enjoyed our little rivalry, MC. It was fun while it lasted.
After texting Brigette, you meet her at the Athena tennis courts. You watch her handily win a match before taking a break.
Brigette: I saw the news, about that terrible cheating scandal... am I correct in thinking that this was orchestrated by Ace?
MC: You got that right. He's pretending to defend our school, but I know he's going to submit a proposal to close it.
Brigette: Have no fear. So long as I sit on the Council, I will never allow your school to be shut down.
You feel a huge rush of relief and pull Brigette into a hug.
MC: Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Later, you get a text from Mia, telling you to go to her house ASAP!
The moment Mia opens the door, you hear someone sobbing quietly. You step inside to find Brigette crying into a handkerchief.
MC: Brigette, what happened?
Mia: She got kicked off the Council. One of the Athena admins dug up some rule that forbids being on both the student council and the district council.
Brigette: I... I was certainly not expecting this. It has been quite a shock...
Mia: This has Ace's fingerprints all over it. With Brigette gone, no one's going to block that proposal of his. Now what?
MC: I'm going to...
Choice
What do you say?
   Get Brigette back on the Council!
   Remove Ace from power.
if "Get Brigette back on the Council!" then
   MC: We need her back on the Council if we're going to stop Ace from shutting down our school.
   Brigette: Thank you for your confidence in me, MC, but there is just one issue... if I am the one in Ace's way, he will stop at nothing to get rid of me.
   Brigette: You see what Ace has already done. He has a stranglehold on our district.
   MC: You're right. This begins and ends with Ace...
   MC: And he's played puppeteer for the last time.
if "Remove Ace from power." then
   MC: This begins and ends with Ace...
   MC: Even if you got your seat on the Council back, Ace would find some other way to get rid of you. He won't stop at anything.
   Brigette: It certainly does seem that Ace is adept at pulling the strings.
   MC: I'm sorry you got caught in the crossfire of my war with Ace... but I promise to put an end to this.
   MC: He's played puppeteer for the last time.
You text Wes. A few minutes later, your phone dings with a response...
Wes: 'Hanging out with Ace. He still doesn't have a clue. Meet me behind the gym after sixth period.'
The moment you arrive, Wes grabs you and pulls you into the shadows.
Wes: Sorry. Gotta make sure nobody sees us together.
MC: So what's your take? Will the board really shut us down if the Council asks them to?
Wes: I don't know. The district isn't happy with us, but shutting down an entire school... that's a last resort. Right now, the board could go either way.
MC: I'm not leaving this to chance. We have to stop Ace from even passing the proposal! We'll have to discredit him to break his hold on the Council.
MC: The question is, how? How do we prove he's staging all these scandals? He's covered his tracks. He's too good!
Wes: No one's that good. All we have to do is prove that Ace is the kind of guy who would frame our school...
MC: What do you mean?
Wes: Look, Ace didn't just start being Ace when he met you... he wasn't always this good at playing puppetmaster.
Wes: If we can't prove what he's doing now, then we just go back and find a time when he wasn't quite so perfect.
Two days later, you head to the journalism classroom, making sure no one sees you going in.
Autumn quickly closes the door after you, while Wes offers you a seat.
MC: You said you had good news?
Autumn: Good news for us. Bad news for Ace.
Wes: So I was chilling with Ace at his apartment when he left to take a call. You know, he's got his own home office?
MC: Of course he does. The guy never goes off-duty.
Wes: So I picked a few locks, got into his files, and found...
Wes hands you a letter printed on cardstock. You read over the official-looking memo...
MC: 'Compulsory transfer to Kepler Magnet School for the Gifted?'
Wes: That's the polite way of saying that our buddy Ace got expelled from his old high school.
Wes: Apparently, when his classmate beat him in a science fair competition, Ace took it personally. He forged documents showing that his classmate paid a professional chemist to do his project.
Autumn: Underhanded tactics... why am I not surprised?
Wes: Pro-tip, you shouldn't try to frame a guy who can bioengineer beetles. He caught Ace in the act. Ace was immediately 'encouraged to transfer'.
Wes: His expulsion was off the books. This memo is the only proof that Ace has a history of lies, forgery, and vengefulness.
MC: That ends now. We have to get him impeached before the Council can vote. Autumn, can you get this into tomorrow's paper?
Autumn: Already working on it.
The next day...
As the last class bell rings, you walk down the hall with your friends. Murmurs of shock and confusion fill the air as your classmates read the student paper.
MC: Sounds like the truth is out.
Julian: I'd like to see Ace try to spin this story.
Outside, Ace is being hounded by student reporters. A few of your classmates shoot him dirty looks.
You descend the school steps, flanked by your friends. Ace meets your gaze from across the quad, and you see the panic in his eyes.
Ace: ...
Mia: I almost pity him...
Mia: Ha! Just kidding. He's had it coming since forever.
Choice
What do you say?
   Yeah, revenge is sweet!
   I kinda feel sorry for him.
if "Yeah, revenge is sweet!" then
   MC: That's what he gets for messing with me!
   MC: He manipulates my own friends and classmates to turn against me, and then tries to get my school shut down? It's high time we got some payback.
   Julian: Now that Ace's rep is wrecked, no one's going to trust him. Our school's saved!
   MC: Yeah, he's getting impeached for sure!
if "I kinda feel sorry for him." then
   MC: Losing people's trust and friendship... I've been there. It sucks.
   Payton: You did what you had to. Wrecking Ace's rep was the only way to save our school.
   Watching Ace desperately fending off the student reporters, you try to take pride in your victory... but all you feel is gnawing guilt in the pit of your stomach.
   MC: I... I know.
Several days later, you receive a summons from the Council.
Wes: Bet they're ready to boot out Ace, huh?
MC: Finally. Justice is served!
You head over to City Hall. As you pull open the Council room door, you can't help but smile...
Until you see everyone waiting for you, wary looks on their faces.
MC: What's... what's wrong?
Asher: Ace, say again what you just said to the Council.
Ace: That memo, I've never seen it before, I swear. I-- I know there's no way to prove it, but you have to believe me. What that memo says... it never happened!
Zero: Are you saying that it's a forgery? Intended to disgrace you?
Ace: No, of course not! I would never accuse MC or anyone at our school of something so awful!
Zero: This is a very serious matter. We're going to get to the bottom of it.
MC: Oh, come on! Of course he says it's fake! You're really gonna believe him?!
Zero: No, MC, we're not going to believe him.
Zero: We're going to believe the expert we've called in to verify its authenticity.
Just then, Kara and Owen march in, escorting... Nishan!
Nishan: Uh... hey, MC...
Nishan sits down next to Owen, who gives him the memo detailing Ace's expulsion from his previous school.
Owen: This right here is a serious accusation, Nishan. If this is Ace's real history, then it throws into doubt everything Ace has done.
Zero: We brought you in to find the truth. So we need you to tell us nothing but the truth. Your friendship with MC cannot sway you.
Nishan: I let nothing get in the way of my quest for scientific fact! MC knows that better than anyone.
As Nishan shoots you a smile, Ace leans toward him from across the table, his eyes pleading.
Ace: Nishan, I know we weren't the best of friends, but please--
Zero: That's enough, Ace. Let him work.
Nishan: Let me just check the paper's source and the dating of the ink...
Everyone in the room watches with bated breath as Nishan scans the paper with an infrared lamp. He cuts off a piece and, after dipping it in a solution, examines it under a microscope...
Nishan: ...hrm.
Nishan's brow creases more with each passing moment.
Zero: What are you doing now, Nishan? Didn't you already run those tests?
Nishan: What? I mean, yes, but... there's always a margin of error with these things.
Zero: Nishan. Just tell us. Is the memo real?
Nishan meets your gaze, panic flickering behind his eyes as he searches for words.
Nishan: Well, you see... can, uh... can anyone really determine whether...
Your heart sinks as you realize what had happened...
MC: It's okay, Nishan. Tell them the truth.
Nishan bites his lip, struggling to say the words...
Nishan: The memo... it's a forgery.
Nishan presents his findings to the Council. With each word, they grow angrier and angrier...
Nishan: In conclusion, the chemical profile of the card stock, along with the ink brand, all point to this sample being printed as recently as last week.
Owen: MC, are you serious right now? How could you sink this low?
Zero: You produced a forgery to discredit your school's elected representative.
MC: I... I thought it was real!
Asher: Ha! I always knew MC couldn't be trusted.
Zero: Do you have anything to say for yourself?
Choice
What do you do?
   Stand your ground!
   Apologize.
if "Stand your ground!" then
   MC: I don't know what Ace did, but I know that Ace has been manipulating the Council since the very beginning!
   MC: He's trying to get back at my school for winning the Hamilton Internship, and he won't stop until my school gets shut down.
   Owen: By serving as your rep? Sorry, but that's kinda hard to believe.
   Ace: I don't know what I did to hurt you, MC, but I'm sorry you feel this way.
   MC: You know, Ace, when you're done stabbing everyone in the back, when there's no one left to betray... you're going to be alone. You know that, right?
   Zero: That's enough! You've said your piece, MC. We're done here.
   Asher: Better get out before we kick you out.
if "Apologize." then
   MC: I'm sorry for wasting your time. I didn't mean to lie about Ace.
   Zero: You do realize that this is a serious offense--
   Ace: Whoa, whoa. It's okay. No harm done.
   Ace: MC here was just trying to do the right thing. It was a simple mistake. No big deal.
   MC: Yeah. No big deal.
You leave the Council room, head spinning at what just happened...
And hear Ace call after you!
Ace: MC! MC, wait up! Listen. I figure you're pretty confused right now...
Ace: Gotta say, nice effort with that public feud you had going with Wes. I almost bought it. Honest. But I knew Wes would never betray you.
MC: So this whole time you knew Wes was still on my side?
Ace: Of course! I knew Wes was only befriending me to snoop. It's what I would've done.
Ace: The memo was bait, and you swallowed it whole. You played smart, but you just can't stake your entire reputation on a single piece of evidence...
Ace: Heh. Look at me, still teaching you. Somehow through all this, I still see you as a protege.
He puts a gentle hand on your shoulder, as you glare at him, fuming... beyond the capacity for words.
Ace: You understand, don't you? You make friends everywhere you go, loyal ones still on the Council. I wasn't sure I could turn them against you...
Ace: I had to make you turn them against you yourself. And I just did.
Ace walks away, pulling out his phone to text someone before he's even out of sight.
Later, back on campus...
Wes: So what you're saying is... Ace manipulated us into having our school paper run a libelous hitpiece on the one student trying to clean up our scandals.
Wes: This is so much worse than the cheating ring...
MC: He played us. I thought we had him on the ropes, but he wasn't even in the ring.
You sit there together in silence, each of you trying desperately to think up your next move... until finally Wes sighs.
Wes: You said you didn't want to leave the board's vote to chance. Well, it's not up to chance anymore...
MC: The Council's next open session is tomorrow. If they vote in the proposal, it's over.
In the evening, you watch from the galleries of City Hall's empty auditorium as the Council convenes an open session...
Ace speaks on the proposal to close your school.
Ace: Now that Asher's put forth this motion, it is with a heavy heart that I forward it for a vote.
Ace: I still firmly believe that this school is a great place, a welcoming community with untapped potential...
Ace: But with the recent cheating ring and the corruption of the student paper, it's clear that the school I represent has lost its way. It must be closed, for the sake of our district.
Ace: This proposal requires a unanimous vote to pass. When your school is called, please state your vote, aye or nay. Hearst High...
Kara: ...aye.
Ace: Statton School for the Humanities...
Asher: Aye!
Watching from the balcony, you feel tears stinging your eyes. Each vote feels like a knife to the heart...
MC: No...
Ace: Twin Branches...
Owen: Aye...
Your time at your school flashes before you... from your first day, meeting Autumn at the empty lot, through all the highs and the lows... the faces of friends, of rivals...
Ace: Apollo Academy...
Zero: Aye.
One by one, Ace calls the schools of the district... and one by one, their Council representatives vote in favor.
Ace: And finally, representing the school in question, my vote is...
Ace's gaze searches the shadows of the gallery, finding you in the darkness. The corners of his lips form the flicker of a smirk.
Ace: Aye.
Ace: A unanimous vote. The proposal will go on to the district board for consideration in one week.
Ace: Now then. Next order of business?
MC: This... this isn't happening!
You slam the doors behind you as you storm out into the night, eyes flooding with tears.
You rush down the steps, trying to come up with a plan... any plan... but all you feel is overwhelming rage.
Finally, you stop. You lean against the cool stone facade of City Hall and slump down, crying alone in the street.
Ace just submitted a proposal to close your school! Can anyone stop the district board from shutting your school down for good?
Keep playing to find out!