Election Day/Dialogues

8:01:23... 8:01:24... 8:01:25...
You sleepily wander onto campus in the morning and see your school decorated with Election Day banners! Volunteers help carry in curtained voting booths.
Ace falls into step beside you.
Ace: Wake up, MC! Lucky for you, there's no class on Election Day.
MC: Shouldn't you be back at Kepler?
Ace: Hey, I'm your campaign manager. I need to be here. Walk faster. We've got places to be!
MC: It's so early. How do you have this much energy?
Ace: Well, I've been up since 6, planning how you'll win your school's seat on the district student council.
Ace: The Coalition's out of the picture, but you're neck and neck with the other two candidates, according to Nishan. It's gonna be tough breaking the tie.
MC: But... today's voting day! There's no time left to make a difference.
Ace: Wrong. I once made up a six point deficit to win an election with only two hours left on the clock. Every minute counts.
Ace: You with me?
MC: I'm with you. I'll do whatever it takes to be our school's Council rep. I'm not letting Max and Hearst mess with us.
Ace: That's what I like to hear. Come on, the polling booth closes at 3. We've got seven hours to make you a winner.
8:04:04... 8:04:05... 8:04:06...
8:07:32... 8:07:33... 8:07:34...
You follow Ace to the Prep Hangout, where your campaign team greets you with applause!
Nishan: Hey, Ace! I input Autumn's poll results into my database. We're leading among the upperclassmen, but it's a tight race among the slacker demographic.
Ace: Excellent work, Nishan. How are we doing on promo materials?
Payton: We've got signs up in every hall on campus! Plus, the stuffed alpacas wearing tiny MC t-shirts are a huge hit!
Ace: That was a brave call, Payton, but it's paying off. Way to think outside the box. Status on the buttons?
Mia: The vendor was running late, so I called and told them off...
Julian: They expedited the order and doubled it for free. Score.
Ace: Note that in the budget. You ready to break this tied election, MC?
MC: What exactly are we up against?
Ace: The Guild's made a recent comeback. They're the alliance of actors, writers, dancers...
MC: All the creative types.
Ace: Right. Voters are attracted by their push for a free-spirited school model... resources for the arts, abolition of the grading system, and fewer class requirements.
Julian: Uh, yeah. Who doesn't want there to be no grades?
Ace: The Guild isn't politically savvy, but there's something seductive about their platform...
Mia: No problem. We've got savvy and appeal.
Ace: True. But the Band is a different story.
Ace: The marching band's candidate is backed by the entire athletics department. The Band is about school pride. They say that MC's willingness to cooperate with other schools is a sign of weakness.
Payton: Nuh-uh! That's so not true!
Mia: They'll eat their words. We'll crush them.
Ace: That's our goal. Any words for your campaign team, MC?
MC: Actually, yes.
MC: I'm so grateful that I've got such an awesome campaign team supporting me. Let's do our best today!
Ace: Spoken like a true politician.
Ace claps his hands.
Ace: All right, people. We had seven hours. Now we have six hours and forty-nine minutes. Let's get to work.
MC: What's the plan, Ace?
Ace: You've won over a lot of the student body, MC. All you gotta do now is make sure they get to the polls. None of it matters if they don't pull the lever in the booth.
Ace: We hit 'em high and low. From senior club leadership, down to the freshmen flooding in by the busload. Remind them that you have earned that seat.
Ace checks the time.
Ace: The first buses from the Belleview area should be pulling into the bus loop any minute...
Ace: We need to be there to greet students. Move out!
8:11:46... 8:11:47... 8:11:48...
Your campaign team hurries to greet the students getting off the bus. You shout into your megaphone...
MC: Good morning! It's election day... no matter who you support, make sure to go vote!
Nishan: Voting is your right in a democracy.
Mia: Sure, but don't be silly about it. Choose MC!
Julian: Hey, want a sticker? Or a high-five? Okay, you can have both.
Payton: Ooh, you have to take this button. It totally matches your shirt!
Nishan: The polling booth is open right now. Don't wait until the last minute to select MC.
Nishan: I mean, once I procrastinated on my Huck Finn essay and turned it in at 11:59 pm with this horrible typo...
Nishan: Worst day of my life. Learn from my mistakes.
MC: What Nishan said. You can vote in the library, any time today! Don't wait!
You hand out stickers and buttons until the last bus leaves the bus loop.
Ace: Nice work. We got the word out. Every student who passed through here has MC on their mind.
Ace: Student clubs are the life blood of any school. Get them on your side, and you're set. The team's helped me schedule a series of meet-and-greets.
MC: You mean... chilling with my classmates?
Ace: That's what I said. Meet-and-greets. First up, the Earth Club...
You head out to the student garden, where you find the Earth Club!
Autumn: Oh, hey MC! You're just in time!
Autumn: We're planting osmanthus trees along the perimeter. Want to help?
MC: Just point me to a shovel!
After planting a few trees, you drop by the Anime Club...
MC: Oh, awesome. A screening! What are we watching?
Nishan: Only the best slice-of-life mecha anime in existence! Through a series of vignettes, Sayuri Ito learns to navigate a mecha... and her love life!
One episode later, you move on to a writing workshop on the quad!
Payton: ...I set my story in a coffee shop! What better place for love to blossom, amirite?
Julian: No way. You buy coffee. You drink it. How's that romantic?
MC: Use your imagination, Julian. That's what writing's all about. I'd love to hear your story, Payton!
You visit club after club until...
Ace: Time's up. We're good on the club front. Places to be, campaigns to run... let's go!
9:37:11... 9:37:12... 9:37:13...
As you walk through the quad, Payton checks her phone...
Payton: Ooh, MC is trending locally on Twitter and the school forums!
Nishan: Sounds about right. My current projections put MC in the lead!
Mia: Good. I didn't dig holes for some weird trees for nothing.
MC: I guess this is my fifteen minutes of fame.
Ace: If we do this right, it won't end there. A politician lives in the spotlight...
MC: Heh. I could get used to feeling like a celebrity.
Ace: You're not quite there, but this is good momentum. Let's keep it up. You have an interview at 10.
MC: Bring it on. Is it the school paper?
Ace: Think bigger. This is the Council you're running for. Candidates from all over the district are getting interviewed for local TV.
MC: Whoa. Any tips?
Ace: You've been prepping for this all week. Just be yourself.
You arrive at the local public access TV station...
Candidates from different schools wander through the studio. Ace breaks away to greet a smartly dressed Kepler student.
Ace: Remi! Remember... fake the eye contact. Tip of the nose. Focus there. Project confidence. With the 47-point lead I got you, you'd better be confident.
Payton: You're going to be on TV, MC! Are you excited?
MC: A little nervous, honestly. But like Ace said, I've been campaigning all week. I got this.
Mia: Remember... butterflies in your stomach? Crush them dead.
You hear your name called and head over to the set, where your interviewer waits with a camera operator.
MC: I can do this.
9:54:55... 9:54:56... 9:54:57...
10:01:03... 10:01:04... 10:01:05...
Your interviewer Classmate 1 points you to a seat on set. Classmate 2 trains a camera on you.
Classmate 1: Welcome, welcome! I've been interviewing candidates all morning, but it's good to see a familiar face.
MC: Same. So you'll go easy on me, right?
Classmate 1: Not a chance. It's my job to ask the hard-hitting, memorable questions!
Classmate 2: To keep things interesting, we've been interviewing candidates in pairs...
Classmate 1: But I think this pairing definitely wins the title of Most Likely to Cause Drama!
Someone claps you on the shoulder! You whirl around, coming face-to-face with Max!
Max: Hey, MC.
MC: Max! You're doing the interview with me?
Max: Get used to it. We'll be working together a lot in the future, MC...
10:03:17... 10:03:18... 10:03:19...
10:04:02... 10:04:03... 10:04:04...
While Max gets prepped for his TV appearance, you find Ace waiting nearby.
MC: Ace! I'm getting interviewed with Max!
MC: If I'm nice to him, the Band will say I'm weak and can't hold my own against Hearst. If I'm cold, the Guild will say I don't work well with others! What do I do?
Ace: Remember what happened with the Coalition when they tried to please everyone? Don't try. Today is about being you.
MC: Okay. Be myself... I can do that.
You sit down beside Max while Classmate 1 gets ready to interview you both for the local news!
Classmate 2: Recording in 3... 2... 1!
Classmate 1: It's Election Day county-wide for the district student council! I'm sitting down with Max Warren and MC, who are both here to tell our local viewers why they deserve your vote.
Classmate 1: Max, MC, you must be insanely busy. Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
Max: I actually wasn't too busy. As you know, I'm ahead by 23 points in the latest Hearst straw poll.
MC: Thank you for having us!
Classmate 1: Let's dive right into it! MC, tell us why you're running for the Council.
if MC is a nerd then
   MC: All my life, I've been someone with big ideas, and someone with the creativity and problem-solving skills to bring them to life.
   MC: On the Council, my solutions would improve day-to-day life for students district-wide.
if MC is a prep then
   MC: At my school, I've proven I have the social know-how to bring diverse groups of students together and make things happen...
   MC: And that's what a new inter-school student council needs.
if MC is a jock then
   MC: Just ask anyone I've worked with. All my life, I've been a leader and a team player, on the field and off.
   MC: I'm willing to give everything I've got for my teammates, and that's the kind of person every school should have representing them.
MC: This is my chance to improve things for my school and the whole district!
Classmate 1: Well put. And Max? Why are you running for office?
Max: You know how it is. My classmates back at Hearst practically begged me to run... and I just love helping people.
Classmate 1: It's no secret that your schools have a history of... let's say, competition. And it's equally known that you two have led a lot of those confrontations. But if you both win your elections, you'll have to work side-by-side.
Classmate 1: MC, what do you say to those who claim you hold a personal grudge against Hearst?
MC: I'd have to say...
Choice
What do you say?
   They're wrong! No grudges here.
   They're right! I hate Hearst!
if "They're wrong! No grudges here." then
   MC: Please! Me and Max? A grudge? No way.
   MC: In fact, I can't wait to partner with Hearst and the other schools to make all our high school experiences better.
   Max: MC and I, we get along great! Don't we, MC?
   Max puts an arm around you, and you follow suit. You grit your teeth, swallowing down a few choice insults.
   MC: Yep! We're... practically... BFFs...
if "They're right! I hate Hearst!" then
   MC: Hearst is the worst. You know it's true because it rhymes.
   MC: No one actually wants Max on the Council. His classmates are just too scared to defy him. He's a bully, riding on his daddy's coattails.
   Several of your classmates watching nearby cheer and clap!
   Max: I... I'm sorry you feel that way, MC.
   Max: No matter what, I vow to work with whichever candidate from your school wins. Our classmates deserve representatives who can put petty differences behind them.
   An even louder cheer goes up from the students watching the interview!
You and Max answer a few more questions from Classmate 1 until Classmate 2 signals to wrap things up.
Classmate 1: Any parting words for the voters?
MC: Whatever you do, make sure to vote! Make your voice heard!
Max: Victory party at my house tonight! Be there.
Classmate 2: Annnnd... cut!
MC: That was quite the performance you gave, Max.
Max: Thanks. Wish I could say the same to you.
Max: Looking forward to our time on the Council, MC. For what it's worth, I think you're gonna destroy your loser competition. But after that, you'll be on my turf.
Max leaves the set, whistling cheerfully. You meet Ace and the rest of your campaign team outside.
Ace: Max... he's going to be a problem.
MC: When isn't he a problem? He's all set to favor Hearst and ruin things for the other schools...
MC: Never mind. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. I've got an election to win!
Your campaign team crowds around you, congratulating you on your interview. Ace hurries you outside.
Ace: Bad news. The Guild pulled ahead in the rankings. Your interview will give you a bump when it airs, but right now, we've gotta get back to school and make up some ground.
Ace: ...and here's our ride!
A sleek town car pulls up to the curb. The chauffeur opens the door for you to get in.
Julian: We get to ride in that?
Payton: There's little flags on it and everything! It's like we're royalty! How'd you get this?
Ace: The power of networking, my friends. Get in.
Once you get back to campus, you hurry to the quad, where the Guild is holding a rally!
The Guild's candidate takes the stage and waves, prompting screams from the adoring crowd!
MC: Oh no...
11:06:56... 11:06:57... 11:06:58...
11:08:32... 11:08:33... 11:08:34...
You stand at the back of a large crowd of the Guild's supporters! Nishan jumps up and down, trying to get a better look.
The Guild's candidate, Classmate 1, blows a few kisses, and the crowd goes wild!
Classmate 1: Oh, thank you, loves! I'm so happy to be with you today!
Nishan: How is the Guild so popular? Is everyone brainwashed?
Payton: Sure, brainwashed... by love! If I weren't such a big fan of MC, I'd totally vote for Classmate 1!
MC: Oh, come on! I'm hot too, you know?
Mia: You are, but Classmate 1 does have a certain charm.
MC: Eyes on the prize. How do we compete with a following this big?
MC: They've got enough people here to win the election by a landslide!
Ace: Not to worry. The Guild has an Achilles' heel. Everyone does. Just look for it...
Instead of giving a speech, Classmate 1 makes small talk with the crowd.
Classmate 1: Hope I'm not out of line if I say you all look really nice today.
The crowd collectively sighs in adoration.
Classmate 3: Classmate 1, I wrote a sonnet for you!
Classmate 3: The sun does grace your very steps--
Classmate 2: Don't listen to that drivel! I'm the one who truly loves you! We're like Romeo and Juliet, but without the death!
The crowd descends into chaos as everyone vies for Classmate 1's attention!
Julian: Whoa. They need to chill.
Ace: Pay attention. We have to figure out the Guild's weakness.
MC: Are we sure the Guild even has a weakness? Their supporters are so... passionate!
Ace: That's why we have to strike now, before their popularity grows more!
11:17:22... 11:17:23... 11:17:24...
11:38:42... 11:38:43... 11:38:44...
On stage, Classmate 1 takes questions from the Guild's many supporters while you and your campaign team watch from the back.
MC: How are we going to win people away from the Guild? Everyone's in love with Classmate 1! I mean, just look at them!
Classmate 3: Classmate 1, don't you think we're meant to be? The two of us are basically my OTP.
Classmate 1: I do feel a special connection with you, love.
Classmate 2 holds out a rose to Classmate 1.
Classmate 2: Accept this token of my affection... though the intricate beauty of the petals pales in comparison to you.
Classmate 1: Oh, thank you! You just made my day.
Mia: Classmate 1's just flirting with everyone! This doesn't have anything to do with the election!
Ace: Politics is about turning on the charm. It's seduction with higher stakes. But you have a point...
Ace: It's clear Classmate 1 isn't taking this election seriously.
Nishan: This feels more like the Benedict Cumberbatch panel at HeroCon than a campaign rally.
Julian: Yeah, no one's discussing the platform or main issues.
MC: Well, Classmate 1's basically a figurehead for the Guild.
Ace: Using popular appeal to win over voters. A powerful strategy, but we can turn it against them...
Ace: If we can get Classmate 1 to realize the work that the Council requires, representing the Guild won't be so appealing anymore.
MC: Leave that to me.
You push your way to the front of the crowd and wave to Classmate 1.
Classmate 1: Yes, love?
Choice
What do you say?
   What's your campaign platform?
   Can you handle the Council's workload?
   Will you go out with me?
if "What's your campaign platform?" then
   Classmate 1: Wonderful question! The Guild stands for freedom and the creative spirit!
   Classmate 1: I just want all you wonderful people to be happy!
   The crowd cheers! A few people look even more lovestruck than before. Ace slips in beside you.
   Ace: Not the right question. Gotta hit the weak point.
   Ace: Classmate 1, how will you balance the Council's workload and your social life?
   Classmate 1: What do you mean?
   Ace: Representing your school is no cakewalk. You'll have to spend time and effort. Ready for all work and no play?
if "Can you handle the Council's workload?" then
   MC: How are you going to balance being on the Council with your social life?
   Classmate 1: What do you mean?
   MC: Representing your school will take a lot of time and effort. It's a big responsibility. You'll have early morning deadlines, late-night policy negotiations, and long meetings...
   MC: Your social life might take a hit.
if "Will you go out with me?" then
   MC: My heart soars when I'm around you. I am half agony, half hope...
   Classmate 1: Oh, you're so sweet...
   Ace: Snap out of it, MC. I'll handle this.
   Ace: Classmate 1, how will you balance the Council's workload and your social life?
   Classmate 1: What do you mean?
   Ace: Representing your school is no cakewalk. You'll have to spend time and effort. Ready for all work and no play?
Classmate 1: But... no one said anything about that!
Classmate 1: If I'm on the Council, does that mean... I can't go on dates every night? I... I don't want that!
Classmate 1 freezes up with a panicked expression. The Guild staffers quickly herd Classmate 1 off stage!
A confused murmur goes up from the disappointed crowd.
Ace: Guess Classmate 1 couldn't take the heat.
With Classmate 1 gone, the rally ends. You find Nishan glued to his phone, scrolling through his Twitter feed.
Payton: The Twittersphere is all over this! The Guild is nothing without their lovely candidate!
Ace: That's it, then. The Guild is sunk.
Ace: One down, one to go. You're neck and neck with the Band now... and there's three hours until the polls close!
Julian: The Band will be tough to beat.
Ace: Stole the words right out of my mouth. The Band has power in numbers. They're organized and ruthless.
MC: But they're not invulnerable. Everyone has a weakness.
Ace: Now you're thinking like a politician.
Ace: We have to pounce on the opportunity. Lunchtime's the perfect chance for a rally of your own...
Ace: You'd better get on that. I need to take care of some business, but I'll see you later.
MC: Wait, you're leaving? I thought you said Election Day was critical!
Ace: Don't worry. You can handle this, MC. I trust you.
11:57:15... 11:57:16... 11:57:17...
12:02:00... 12:02:01... 12:02:02...
You rally together your supporters in the cafeteria, in an effort to gain a lead on the Band!
MC: ...we've got three hours until the polls close. I need your vote, and I promise that if I get it, I won't let you down!
Classmate 1: I can't believe I'm saying this... but maybe we should all get off the couch and go vote!
Nishan: Let's hear it for MC!
Payton: Um... do you guys hear something? What is that?
Julian: I'd know that sound anywhere... it's our drumline.
Just then, the cafeteria doors burst open! The entire marching band files in, stepping and playing in unison!
Classmate 2: Oops. Did we interrupt something?
Classmate 3: Not to toot our own horns... but the Band is the best choice for the Council!
12:38:11... 12:38:12... 12:38:13...
12:41:59... 12:42:00... 12:42:01...
The marching band streams into the cafeteria in lockstep, trumpeting in unison and interrupting your rally!
MC: What's going on?
Excited by the intrusion, everyone in the cafeteria claps along with the band's music!
Mia: Um, excuse us!
Classmate 3: Just admit defeat, MC. We've got every sports team and music group backing us.
Classmate 2: We're basically unstoppable. You can't beat our school spirit!
Nishan: Hey! You don't know what you're up against. MC is like an elephant... gentle, but incredibly powerful!
Classmate 1: What the nerd said. What's your damage? You're being really uncool right now!
Classmate 1 scoops up a spoon of cole slaw from the salad bar and chucks it at Classmate 2! The cole slaw splatters everywhere!
Classmate 2: Hey!
Classmate 2 grabs a bowl of mac and cheese and hurls it back! Classmate 1 ducks, and it hits another marching band member...
The cafeteria erupts into a food fight!
Classmate 1: Get a mouthful of... this!
MC: Hey! Knock it off! We can't fight with each other--
Someone sends a slice of pizza sailing at you! Julian swats it out of the air with a lunch tray!
Julian: Can't let our star candidate get hit.
Just then, several teachers walk into the cafeteria! A handful of spaghetti smacks one of them with a splat!
Professor Edwin: What is going on here?
Classmate 2: Quick! Scatter!
Members of the Band flee the scene! Professor Edwin surveys the cafeteria until her gaze comes to rest on you.
MC: Uh, it wasn't me?
Professor Edwin: I've heard of mudslinging in politics, but never food slinging. As a candidate for the Council, I expected better behavior from you, MC.
Professor Edwin: Everyone, clean up this mess. MC, you're assigned lunch duty.
MC: But... I have to campaign. I can't do lunch duty!
Professor Edwin: No excuses. You're on thin ice as it is.
You start serving up cafeteria food in a hairnet and apron. You dump a spoonful of plain pasta onto Nishan's plate.
Nishan: That's quite the look, MC. Cafeteria chic might be the new thing!
Mia: This is serious! How are we going to win the election with MC behind the lunch counter?
MC: Has anyone been able to reach Ace?
Payton: Nope. He hasn't been responding to our texts.
Mia: Ugh. He was the one saying how important today was, and he just vanished on you?
Julian: Yeah, this isn't looking good. With MC out of the picture, the Band's taking advantage. Autumn says they're up by 5%!
MC: Ace said he trusted me to handle things, so let's handle them...
MC: Now how do we make up a 5% deficit from behind the lunchroom counter?
12:57:33... 12:57:34... 12:57:35...
1:14:06... 1:14:07... 1:14:08...
You spoon glops of pasta and hand out pizza to students in line. Your campaign team lingers near the lunch counter.
MC: Every minute I'm stuck behind the lunch counter, the Band gets a bigger lead. There's got to be a way to campaign... even from here.
Nishan: What if one of us took your place? Pulled the old switcheroo! In the right light, I could pass for MC, right?
MC: I don't know about that.
You look over the trays of bland pasta and stale cheese pizza. You hand Mia her lunch.
Mia: Ew. Is it just me, or is this... uh... not as delicious as usual?
MC: It's not just you. There have been district budget cuts. The cafeteria doesn't have the ingredients to make anything better.
MC: Wait...
You look back at your classmates lining up for lunch.
MC: I know how I can campaign from behind the lunch counter. What if we bought better ingredients?
Payton: OMG! Are we going to rescue lunch? We're going to rescue lunch!
MC: We'll have to work fast. What we've got right now is a good base. We just have to spice it up a bit. I need toppings for the pizza, sauce for the pasta, and dessert!
Mia: I know just the truffle marinara sauce for this...
Payton: Ooh, and we'll bring back all the desserts ever!
MC: Stay within budget, please. And hurry!
1:18:25... 1:18:26... 1:18:27...
1:33:56... 1:33:57... 1:33:58...
Soon, your friends return from their grocery run! Julian strides into the cafeteria kitchen with several heavy paper bags.
Julian: Got your pasta sauce and pepperoni right here.
Nishan: And we also bought all the low-budget yet delicious desserts in the store!
MC: Thanks so much. I'll take it from here.
With your new ingredients, you help the cafeteria workers prepare lunch! You bus the first batch of dishes over to the front counter.
MC: What'll you have? We've got classic pepperoni pizza with freshly grated mozzarella... veggie pizza with grilled toppings and hot peppers... and barbecue chicken pizza, right out of the oven!
MC: If elected, one of my priorities will be increasing resources to the cafeteria staff so we can have meals like this every day!
You chat with each of your classmates as you pass out lunches. Soon, everyone in the cafeteria is eating contentedly, food fight forgotten.
Payton: Hey, everyone! What do you think of the lunch?
A cheer goes up in the cafeteria!
Payton: The super deliciousness is all thanks to MC...
MC: Don't forget our hard-working cafeteria staff!
Mia: Well? How about a hand for them, people?
Your classmates break into raucous applause!
Finally, the bell rings for the final period of the day! You run into Autumn with your campaign team in the hallway.
MC: How am I doing in the polls, Autumn?
Autumn: The election's nearly over, so the paper isn't doing any more exit polls...
Autumn: But from what I saw at lunch, I bet you caught up to the Band!
Payton: Go MC! You did it! With pizza sauce on your face and everything!
MC: Wait, what?! Why didn't you guys tell me?
Mia: And you did it without that total letdown, Ace--
Ace: You're right. MC did just as I expected.
MC: Ace! Where were you?
Julian: Yeah, you bailed on us, man! What gives?
1:55:39... 1:55:40... 1:55:41...
1:55:42... 1:55:43... 1:55:44...
You and your campaign team run into Ace just outside the cafeteria!
Julian: Ace, you totally hung us out to dry! We had a huge crisis, and the whole team was there for MC, except you!
Mia: You could have at least warned us you were going to ditch.
Ace: I trusted MC to handle matters. Had some business to take care of.
Mia: Seriously? Do you hear this, MC? Tell him that wasn't cool!
Choice
What do you say?
   I trust Ace.
   Explain yourself, Ace!
if "I trust Ace." then
   MC: I'm sure he had a good reason for leaving.
   Ace: A very, very good reason. You'll understand, soon enough... and I applaud your crisis-handling.
if "Explain yourself, Ace!" then
   MC: You left me hanging, Ace. We were depending on you. You owe me an explanation.
   Ace: Let me ask you something, MC. Do you remember our agreement from the Coalition party last night?
   MC: I... I promised I'd trust you.
   Ace: And do you remember my promise?
   MC: You said--
   Ace: I said if you ever pulled that again, I would walk.
   Ace: So the question is... do you trust me or not?
   Your team shifts uncomfortably as Ace waits for your response.
   MC: I trust you, Ace.
   Ace: Good. Let's leave it at that.
Ace: Now let's get back out there. We can squeeze in a few classroom speeches before the clock runs out.
You make several class visits until...
Ace: That's it! Two minutes 'til close. We've done everything we can. The ballots are all in...
MC: Oh, wait... I just remembered!
MC: I haven't voted yet! I've been so busy all day that I didn't have the chance.
Ace: You haven't voted yet? In a close race, every vote counts!
Ace: You need to go vote, now!
2:58:13... 2:58:14... 2:58:15...
2:58:16... 2:58:17... 2:58:18...
Ace pushes you out the door!
Ace: You've got two minutes before the polling booth closes! You need to get your vote in!
You sprint across campus to the polling booth in the library! Your lungs burn and your legs start to cramp up, but you keep running!
MC: Huff... I can do this!
Choice
What do you do?
   Stumble!
   Sprint!
   Slow down!
if "Stumble!" then
   You trip over your own feet! You pick yourself up off the ground, wincing.
   MC: Ow...
   You limp over to the library, barely making it in time!
   MC: Whew. Made it. That was a close one.
   2:59:17... 2:59:18... 2:59:19...
if "Sprint!" then
   You race through the quad and reach the library!
   MC: That has to be some sort of record!
   2:58:57... 2:58:58... 2:58:59...
if "Slow down!" then
   You slow down, wheezing.
   MC: Argh... why does running suck...
   You reach the library, barely making it in time!
   MC: Whew. Made it. that was a close one.
   2:59:17... 2:59:18... 2:59:19...
You mark your own name on the ballot and drop it in the box right as the clock strikes 3!
MC: Got my vote in!
A voice comes over the PA, announcing that polls for the district student council election are now closed. Student government officials carry off the ballots to be counted.
MC: Well, it's out of my hands now.
Once the polling booth closes, you head to the quad, where a viewing party is in full swing! A big screen has been set up to display the local news channel.
Your campaign team crowds around you.
Julian: Hey, did you get your vote in?
MC: Yeah, I made it. Barely.
Nishan: MC! You've got to get some snacks! They have vanilla cake frosted to look like ballots!
Payton: When you're done, let's have a dance-off!
Mia: The student government has control of the music, but I got them to stop playing 'Fifty Nifty United States' on repeat.
You glance back at Ace, who grins at you.
Ace: You're done with elections. Go celebrate!
For the next hour, you mingle with your classmates at the viewing party!
Mia: Ugh, the suspense is killing me! I just want to know who won.
MC: Me too. Whatever happens... we did our best. All the candidates did.
Classmate 1: Yeah, whoever wins will do good by us. I just know it.
Classmate 2: Even if the Band doesn't win, we'll drum up support for whoever does. We're one school, after all!
Classmate 1: Aw! That's such a beautiful sentiment, Classmate 2!
Classmate 1 wraps you and Classmate 2 in a hug!
Ace: Heads up. The results should be out any minute now.
MC: This is it...
You and your classmates wait with bated breath for the district student council election's final tally. You watch the big screen...
And your name is announced!
MC: I won! I'm on the Council!
Classmate 1: Congratulations! I hope you'll hear out the Guild's thoughts on free periods at school.
Classmate 2: And don't forget the Band's wishes for new team uniforms. We're counting on you now.
MC: I'll do my absolute best. You have my word.
Classmate 1: We know.
Julian: You did it, MC!
Julian pulls you into a hug, lifting you off your feet! Autumn hands you a bouquet of flowers.
Wes: Congrats on the win, MC. If anyone can make politics a good thing, it's you.
Autumn: Congrats! Now that it's all over, I'm allowed to do this...
Autumn gives you a hug! Wes flashes you a thumbs up.
Autumn: Staying impartial for the school paper was so hard. I wanted to root for you all along!
MC: Aw, thanks!
The local TV announcer continues reading off election results, eventually coming to Hearst's race...
Mia: Wait, what?!
Mia: Max lost!
Payton: How is that even possible? I thought he was, like, a total shoo-in!
Nishan: Something catastrophic must have happened at the last second...
Next to you, Ace is smirking ever so slightly.
MC: Something...? Or maybe someone...
MC: Ace, is there anything you want to tell us?
Ace: Okay, you got me. I may have helped Max lose. Figured I could get it done during lunch. I did.
MC: How come? I mean, why now?
Ace: Think long-term. Max was going to be a problem on the Council. I took care of it.
Nishan: You sunk Max's campaign... in one lunch period?!
Wes: I told you this guy was good. So, Ace, how'd you pull it off?
Ace: Ha! That's a story for another time. But right now, we have a new Council rep to celebrate... good work, MC.
MC: Thanks, Ace. I couldn't have won without your help.
Ace: Probably. But don't sell yourself short. You're going to do great things, MC.
Ace: I'd wish you luck on the Council... but I get the feeling you won't need it.
He gives you a brisk handshake and walks away. You watch him leave...
MC: Wait, Ace! Where are you going?
Ace: Campaign's over. I'm on to the next one.
MC: But...
MC: I feel like you're a part of the team now. Can't you stay on as my senior advisor?
Ace: I was hoping you'd say that...
Ace throws an arm around you, pulling you close. He grins at you.
Ace: You thought this election was crazy? Just wait...
Ace: The real politics are just beginning.
You won the election! Do you have what it takes to represent your school on the Council?
Who won the seats from the other schools? And what plans do they have for yours?
Keep playing to find out!