The Contender/Dialogues

You, Payton, and Wes are heading to lunch when you see a group of your classmates picketing on the quad!
Classmate 2: What do we want?
Classmate 3: Change!
Classmate 2: When do we want it?
Classmate 1: Before season two of Crystal Warriors X!
MC: What's going on?
Classmate 1: Oh! MC! Welcome to the revolution! We're trying to get the attention of the school district...
Classmate 2: They won't upgrade our school's design software, so I'm stuck formatting yearbook with the old stuff!
Classmate 3: And I tried to get our basketball team moved to a higher league division, but the district board keeps blocking it.
Classmate 1: They won't even let me host an anime convention, even though I got our school's permission!
MC: Why don't you take your problems to the student government?
Wes: Because student gov has no say. Stuff like this... it's all decided by the district. And that's a cesspool of bureaucracy.
Classmate 2: Our school, Hearst, Athena, Statton... the school district board controls every school in the area.
Classmate 3: Basically makes it impossible to get anything done for our clubs.
MC: But can't you talk to them? The board should listen to you.
Classmate 1: No way, they never listen to students.
Payton: Haven't you heard? All that is about to change... as soon as the Council is elected!
MC: The Council? What's that?
You just walked into the middle of a student club protest! Your classmates listen to Payton as she explains the Council...
Payton: The school district's forming this new council to represent student interests and promote goodwill between schools...
Payton: At least, that's what I saw online. Someone tweeted the announcement!
Payton: Every school in the county will elect a representative to serve on the Council. Together, they'll get to decide a ton of big issues that affect all the schools!
Classmate 1: Wow... an all-powerful council? They'd totally be able to help out our clubs!
Classmate 2: That's if we elect a good representative for our school.
Payton: Actually, the elections are coming up soon! Now's our chance.
Classmate 3: Hm... a great leader is hard to find.
Classmate 1: We'd need someone charismatic, passionate, and powered by a love for justice... like a shonen anime hero!
Wes: Sure, but this is real life. Where you gonna find someone like that?
Classmate 2: Easy... right here!
Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3 all look at you.
MC: Wait, me?
Classmate 2: Come on, MC! I'd vote you Most Likely to Succeed! You're perfect for this!
Classmate 2: You've helped me out a ton, MC. In fact, you've helped all of us! You're the best candidate for the Council.
MC: Thanks, Classmate 2, but I don't know the first thing about politics! Aren't there more qualified students running for the spot?
Payton: Don't sell yourself short! You made our school what it is today... super awesome!
Classmate 3: You're a real team captain, MC. You've gotta run for the Council!
Eyes sparkling with hope, Classmate 1 clasps your hands.
Classmate 1: This school is a place we can call home, thanks to you. Running for office is your destiny.
Payton: Right? Wes, back me up here.
Wes: I'll stay out of this one. Politics isn't really my game...
Wes: If you want a thing done right, you do it yourself. Politics is all red tape and bureaucracy.
Wes: And, well... it changes people.
Payton: Okay, mysterious Wes opinions aside... MC, you'd be great on the Council!
Payton: At least promise me you'll think about it?
A few days later, you're eating lunch in the cafeteria with your friends. Mia groans in disgust.
Mia: I literally cannot believe my brother! He is the worst.
Julian: What'd he do this time? Punch a kitten?
Mia shows you a Facebook video on her phone. In the video, Max lounges on a magnificent throne, with an ermine robe thrown over his shoulder.
Nishan: He's wearing a crown? Someone's got delusions of grandeur.
Max flashes his All-American smile at the camera.
Max: When it comes to representing Hearst in the district student council...
Max: Vote Max Warren, if you know what's good for you. Because I know what's good for you.
Payton: Whoa, he's got two hundred likes already!
Mia: Figures my brother would run for the Council... and he'll win. Half of Hearst loves him. The other half is too chicken to stand up to him.
Nishan: Looks like the Council is a gift and a curse. We'd have a vote at the district level... but so will people like Max.
Nishan: And I've got a feeling he'll steamroll our school's rep. Who do we have that can match him?
Payton shoots you a look.
Julian: I hate the idea of Max having any control over our school.
Nishan: And if it's not him, it could be any of the other schools' reps.
Mia: Well, we can't just sit by and let this happen!
MC: And we're not going to. Not on my watch.
Payton: We're not? Does that mean...
MC: I'll do it. I'll run for the Council.
MC: I love this school. I may not know much about politics, but if there's anything I can do to make it a better place, to protect it from people like Max... then I'm gonna do it.
Nishan: Yeah! I can't wait to vote for you!
Mia: Whoa, slow down there, buddy. If MC's gonna run for Council, we have a lot of campaigning to do first.
MC: 'We'?
Payton: Yeah! If you're going to be a real contender, you'll need a campaign team. That's us!
Mia: You can thank us later. First up, we need to announce your candidacy... with a press conference!
The next day during lunch, you follow Payton and Mia to a makeshift stage they've set up in the front of the quad.
Payton: There! All set up for your big announcement!
Payton: Starting on the long campaign trail, speaking before a huge crowd... you must have butterflies in your stomach!
Mia: If so, just do what I do. Imagine crushing each butterfly in your fist, one by one.
MC: Um, thanks, but I'm not really nervous... mainly because nobody's here.
Payton and Mia survey the quad, where only a handful of students are milling about.
Payton: Hm, we probably should've announced the announcement, huh?
Mia: The crowd will come, MC... they won't be able to resist the power of your voice. It's all up to you.
MC: Greeeat. Thanks.
You adjust the microphone to your height and look out on the quad.
MC: Hey, everyone. I have an announcement to make...
A few of your classmates drift toward the stage.
Classmate 3: Hey, what's all this?
Classmate 1: Did I win something? Should I come on stage?
Classmate 2: Ooh, it's a spontaneous poetry slam!
Payton: Nope! It's even better!
MC: I... hereby formally announce my candidacy for school representative to the district student council!
With Payton and Mia by your side, you announce your candidacy on a makeshift stage! A small crowd has formed, just to watch you.
MC: ...and that's why I'm running for the Council. The school district needs to hear our voice!
In the crowd, Classmate 1 raises a hand...
Payton: Ooh, yay! Looks like we've got some questions!
Mia: We'll handle these, MC.
Classmate 3: I've been petitioning for eco-friendly toilets in every bathroom! Can you make that happen?
Payton: Done!
The crowd cheers!
MC: Whoa, hang on--
Classmate 1: What do you plan on doing to stop candidates like Max Warren from making decisions that affect our school?
Mia: MC's number one priority is homeland security. That means doing whatever it takes to stop schools like Hearst and Athena from forcing us to adopt their stupid ways!
Another rousing cheer goes up!
MC: Actually...
Classmate 2: What about weekly forums hosted by famous authors?
Payton: No sweat!
MC: Okay, wait just a second!
MC: First off, I'm not running to go to war with the other schools in the district. I plan to work with them. And to get what we want, that will mean we have to compromise with them.
Some gasps ripple through the crowd.
MC: And secondly, I can't guarantee eco-friendly toilets or famous guest speakers.
Classmate 2: But all the other candidates promised.
MC: Well, I'm not them. If elected, I will work my hardest to balance every students' needs and desires with the realities of budget and cooperation.
As you talk, the crowd slowly begins to disperse, one by one...
Mia: Hey, where do you think you're going?! Get back here!
Payton: I haven't even sung the MC theme song yet!
MC: Well, that was a disaster...
Soon, the only people left in the crowd are Julian and Nishan. They come up to you as you start packing up your things.
Julian: Hey, I didn't think it was that bad.
MC: Julian...
Julian: Okay, fine. You got trounced.
Mia: Don't look at us! Me and Payton had those people eating out of our hands!
Mia: MC's the one who wanted to be all 'noble' and 'realistic'.
Payton: How are we gonna recover from this?
Julian: Leave that to us.
Mia: Who? You and Nishan? Sorry, but I don't think you guys are cut out for delicate work like this.
Nishan: Au contraire. We've been talking, and we know just the thing MC needs to rescue this campaign.
MC: What's that?
Julian: Two words. Viral. Marketing.
You meet Nishan and Julian at the Nerd Hangout to work on your campaign.
Nishan: Prepare yourself. You're about to star in the greatest campaign video of all time!
Julian: Or at least one that's way better than Max's.
Nishan: First, please step in front of this green screen...
Nishan trains a large film camera on you, while Julian signals you to start talking.
MC: I'm MC, and I'm running for the district student council because...
Choice
What do you say?
   I care about this school!
   Someone has to stand up for our school!
   This school belongs to me!
if "I care about this school!" then
   MC: This school is my home...
   MC: I know what our school wants and needs, and I'll do my best to make it happen!
   MC: So vote for me for district council!
   Nishan: Sincere, hopeful, polished... spoken like a true politician, MC.
if "Someone has to stand up for our school!" then
   MC: Trust me, I won't let people like Max Warren mess with our school...
   MC: Vote for me. I'm your best bet for the Council!
   Julian: Yeah, stick it to Max! He sucks!
if "This school belongs to me!" then
   MC: I basically founded this school. The Council rep spot is mine, by rights.
   MC: Vote for me. I'm the obvious choice.
Julian: Nice. Now say these words for the camera...
Nishan hands you a stack of flash cards. You face the camera and read off the words...
MC: America...?
Julian: Come on, use your gut! Say it like you mean it!
MC: Democracy...
MC: Freedom!
MC: America.
Nishan: And cut! Perfect!
You, Julian, and Nishan huddle around Nishan's laptop while he shows you the finished campaign video.
You see yourself in front of a shimmering American flag, standing next to a bald eagle!
MC: Freedom...
MC: Apple pie...
MC: America.
Julian and Nishan high five each other over your head.
Julian: Yes! We nailed it, Nish.
MC: But what happened to my campaign speech?
Julian: It was good stuff, but you gotta keep these things short and snappy...
Nishan: And it worked! Look at all these upvotes you're getting.
Nishan: I also uploaded the raw footage online so fans can make response videos. User engagement at its finest.
Your campaign video goes viral as edited videos flood in! You see yourself green screened in front of slices of pizza, Will Ferrell movies, and...
Julian: A salmon documentary?!
MC: Is anybody taking me seriously as a candidate?
Nishan: It would seem all of the comments are about how hilarious you are.
Nishan: This may have been a slight miscalculation.
Soon, you're conferring with Payton, Mia, Julian, and Nishan, running damage control...
Payton: Got an early edition of tomorrow's paper, courtesy of Autumn.
Payton hands you the school newspaper. You scan the polls...
MC: I'm second to last?!
Julian: Hey, at least you're beating Chris Winters.
Nishan: Chris Winters? You mean, the acclaimed movie star with a permanent five o'clock shadow?
MC: Yeah, the joke write-in candidate. I might as well be last place...
MC: It's over. I'm gonna lose the election.
Wes: Sure you will, if you keep talking like that.
You and your friends look up to see Wes leaning against the doorframe, chewing gum.
Mia: Nobody wants to hear you gloat, okay, Wes?
MC: I know you think politics are stupid. But this was a chance to really make a difference... and I blew it.
Wes eyes you, contemplating...
Wes: Okay. Fine. Come with me.
Nishan: You're going to help MC?
MC: But you said you're not into this game.
Wes: I'm not. But I know someone who is.
Wes: I've got a contact who can give you a hand with your campaign, MC. He goes to Kepler.
Julian: Isn't that the fancy magnet school downtown?
Wes: Yeah, Kepler Magnet School For The Gifted. You've gotta be a genius to even take the entrance exam.
Wes: Ready to head over, MC?
Mia: You're not leaving us behind, Wes. As the campaign team, we should all go make sure you're not leading MC into a total train wreck.
Nishan: Wait, all of us? To Kepler?
Nishan: No, no, no, no, no. A thousand burning suns of no.
MC: Why not? What's wrong, Nishan?
Nishan: Don't ask. You don't want to be burdened with the knowledge.
Moments later, you're headed downtown to Kepler Magnet with Wes at the wheel.
Payton: I've always wanted to check out Kepler! It's supposed to be the top school for student leaders and super geniuses. Like, one of their students already found a cure for the common cold!
Mia: Bet it's full of brats who think they're better than everyone else.
Wes: Hey, it comes with the territory. You'll see.
Wes pulls up to the front gates of the school! You gaze in awe at the sleek, modern buildings before you. A marquee with a giant, high-definition screen welcomes you to Kepler Magnet School.
MC: Whoa...
You and your campaign team have just arrived at the Kepler Magnet School For The Gifted!
Students power walk through the school with laptop bags hanging off their shoulders and tablets in their hands. Everyone is dressed in sharp suits and button-downs.
MC: Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore.
Payton: Aww, Toto is everything. I so want a puppy in a basket now.
Mia: Payton. Focus.
Wes: My contact's waiting for us in the school cafe. And he's not a guy you want to keep waiting. Come on.
Wes takes the lead, taking you through a grand hallway filled with marble busts...
Wes: Statues of famous alumni.
Julian: It's gotta be weird walking past all these accomplished people on the way to class every day.
Payton: Yeah, like, pressure much?
You follow Wes past state-of-the-art computer labs and through the weight room...
Julian: Whoa! They've got some seriously state of the art equipment! Do those ellipticals have tablet computers on them?
Mia: Streaming Netflix on the elliptical? Finally, someone understands my workout needs.
Finally, you reach the school cafe. You walk into the elegant shop, and the aroma of coffee and macarons envelopes you.
You hear the gentle burble of an indoor fountain, accompanying the sounds of a live string quartet.
MC: Whoa, do you guys smell that? I've gotta get one of those macarons.
Payton: And I could use something to drink! I think I'll get a...
Payton pauses as she considers the menu, but before she can order, a tall, sharply dressed student confidently cuts in.
Ace: Let me guess... something sweet, slightly decadent. Vanilla latte?
Ace: No, something with more flair. You're a peppermint latte person. Always with whipped cream.
Payton: That's my favorite drink! How did you know?
Ace: I've got a knack for reading new people. Latte's on me.
Payton: Aw, thanks!
Wes: Payton? MC? Meet Ace.
Ace: Wes! Anything new for me? Who am I kidding? You always do.
Wes: I've got a favor to ask.
Ace: Favors? Wes. Buddy. You know the drill. I don't do favors.
Wes: Fine. I have it on good authority that Hearst's tennis coach was college roomies with Athena's principal. Also, that locker room prank? Traces back to Jasper Cho's baby cousin.
Ace: It's always the Cho's, isn't it? I can use that. You scratch my back. I scratch yours. What do you need?
Wes: My friend here is running for district council, but we've hit some bumps in the road... and you're the best in the business.
Ace: Understatement.
You offer your hand to Ace.
MC: Nice to meet you, Ace. I'm--
Ace: MC. Obviously. Heard a lot about you. All good things.
Ace sizes you up thoughtfully.
Ace: Hm. A consulting gig. Unproved, but Wes likes you. Okay, I'll hear you out...
Ace: But I don't work with just anybody. Neither should you. Gotta get to know each other. Walk with me.
Before you can answer, Ace blows past you.
Ace: Keep up, MC. I've got a 4 o'clock meeting, and time waits for no man.
Ace strides purposefully down the hall as you and your team jog to catch up. He points out a campaign poster plastered on a bulletin board.
Ace: See that guy? He's our top candidate for the Council, polling at eighty percent. He'll win by a landslide, guaranteed.
You check out the clean cut student on the poster.
MC: He certainly looks like a winner.
Ace: Yeah, thanks to me. He wasn't, once upon a time. Head lice incident, second grade. His rep never recovered. Became the school weirdo, you know the sort. Picked last for dodgeball. Ate worms.
Wes: Wait a minute. 'Worms' Remington is your candidate? And you made him... popular?
Wes falls silent. Ace grins at you.
Ace: You know Wes is impressed when he shuts up for once.
Ace: And he's not Worms anymore. He's 'Remi'. Names are image, and image is everything. You don't hear anybody calling me Bartholomew, do you?
Ace: Sure, it wasn't easy taking Remi from lost cause to top dog...
Ace: But MC? You've got the look, the intellect, the charm. Forget district council... someone like you, I could make President of the United States.
MC: I'll settle for district student council for now, thanks.
Mia: Hmph. You talk big, Ace.
Ace: I have to. People respond to confidence, drive, passion...
Ace: But of course, I don't have to tell you that, Miss Head Cheerleader. Confidence comes off you in waves. It probably does the talking for you.
Mia: Hmm. Maybe you are good.
Still walking, Ace turns to a classmate nearby and signs a document.
Ace: You better run that to the office before the admins close up, kid.
More and more classmates come up to Ace with papers to sign and questions to ask. He breezes past them, making quick work of each issue.
Ace: ...cut a deal with the robotics club. Remind them they owe me after the 'RoboGate' scandal...
Ace: ...status on the budget proposal? No, unacceptable. Arrange a sit-down with the booster president...
Ace: ...yes to the renovations, no to the showcase. Got it? Good...
Your friends fall into step beside you. Payton whispers to you...
Payton: This guy's amazing! He's, like, the king of multi-tasking.
Mia: Ace knows what he's doing, I'll give him that. How did you meet him, Wes?
Wes: He's been my contact for years. We've got a good thing going on. Reliable guy.
Julian: For real, MC, you gotta get Ace on your campaign team.
MC: Agreed. With a guy like him on our side, we'd have this election in the bag.
MC: I gotta say, Ace, I'm sold. I could really use a guy like you running my campaign.
Ace: You've seen me in action, MC, but I haven't seen you.
MC: What do you need?
Ace: I want to check you out on your home turf before I sign on to anything.
MC: Sure. Stop by my school tomorrow, and we can talk.
Ace: My people will call your people.
The following day at school, the bell rings, and you step out of history class just as Ace walks briskly by, sipping a coffee.
Ace: Right on time, MC. I like that.
MC: That is how the bells work.
Ace: Ow! Zinger! I like the attitude. You'll need it on the trail.
Ace: Nice place you got here. Not surprising, considering how well your school has done in the rankings...
Ace: Your run-ins with Hearst are something else, though. They've got it out for you, huh? You got a lot of enemies.
MC: That's why I'm running for the Council. I want to represent my classmates. I want to stand up for them on the district level.
MC: I'm not about to let people like Max Warren mess with my school!
Ace: Admirable. Grassroots hero. I can work with that. The enemies thing... what can I say? I like a challenge.
Ace: You're convincing me you deserve this job. Now you just gotta convince the rest of the school.
MC: Well, to be fair, there are plenty of good candidates on the ballot--
Ace: No, no, no! You need to stand out! Let people know you're not just the right choice, but the only choice. What do you have that no other candidate can offer?
MC: Well, uh...
Ace: Now's your chance to figure that out. Here comes a few of your future constituents.
Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3 catch sight of you and hurry over.
Classmate 1, Classmate 2, and Classmate 3 head straight for you, all excited for your candidacy.
Ace: Go on. Time to see what kind of candidate you are.
Classmate 1: Is it for real? Are you really running for the Council? It's like all my dreams come true!
MC: Can I count on your vote?
Classmate 1: Well, if anyone can get the district to grant permission for our anime con, it's you.
Classmate 2: Yeah! The other candidates promised us the design software upgrade, but if you can too, I'd rather vote for you.
Classmate 3: The board would definitely let you bump our basketball team up to a higher league, right?
Ace raises an eyebrow at you. Your classmates look at you, their eyes full of hope.
MC: Um...
Choice
What do you say?
   I'll try my best.
   That's a MC guarantee!
if "I'll try my best." then
   Classmate 1: Your best?
   MC: If I get elected, I'll try my best to get you what you need... but I can't guarantee anything.
   Classmate 3: Try? I believe Yoda had some choice words about trying...
   Classmate 2: Hey, at least MC is being honest.
   Classmate 1: Well, I know I can count on MC! If I've learned anything from sports anime, it's that your best is always enough.
   Classmate 3: We'll see...
   Your classmates wander away, still bickering. You hang your head.
   MC: Sorry, Ace. I couldn't lie to them. I don't think I'm cut out for politics after all.
   Ace: You kidding? It's been a long time since I've seen someone with integrity.
   Ace: Your honesty will be a challenge... but I think you've got what it takes to inspire people.
if "That's a MC guarantee!" then
   MC: I'm going to take the school district by storm! They won't know what hit 'em!
   Classmate 2: Sweet. I can't wait for you to get on the Council!
   Classmate 3: Yeah, I know we can count on you.
   Classmate 1: You're just like Shinichi about to get into the last remaining mecha suit! You've got that fighting spirit!
   Your classmates leave, talking excitedly amongst themselves. Ace offers you a brisk handshake.
   Ace: Conviction. Panache. Nicely done.
   MC: But what if I can't fulfill those campaign promises?
   Ace: We'll do all we can to live up to them. But you can't make any changes if you're not on the Council, so right now, we need to win hearts and minds.
   Ace: ...and you seem to have a knack for that.
MC: Does that mean you'll help me with my campaign?
Ace: You got it. We'll make a great team, you and I.
Ace walks off. You call out after him.
MC: Ace, wait! How do I... I don't know, repay you for this?
Ace: Don't worry about it. Pro bono.
MC: I thought you don't do favors.
Ace: I don't. Let's call this a worthy cause.
Ace continues his march.
MC: Where are you going?
Ace: To draw up a plan. Time you started campaigning for real.
Will Ace be able to salvage your campaign in time for the election?
And what do Max and the other schools have planned for the Council?
Find out in the next quest!