Esther's

<div.title-page> # <%= story.title %> ## A brunch story by Brad and Alleson Buchanan [[Play]] </div>

<img src="./img/harold_and_esther_01.jpg" /> Once upon a time, two brown mice lived on Beech Street. Janie was playful and mischevious, and brought Harold flowers plucked from Miss Julie's garden in the spring. Harold was meticulous and bright (on a full stomach) and carried Janie's picture-books home from the library [[every Tuesday->Every Saturday]].

<img src="./img/ai_02.webp" /> Every Saturday Janie and Harold went to get brunch at Esther's cafe. They always ordered mimosas and avocado toast, but Esther always brought them a bit of cheese and cracker, because she was very nice but she [[didn't speak squeak->One day]].

<img src="./img/ai_03.webp" /> One day sitting at their tiny table, Janie looked across the tiny plate of cheese at Harold and said, "I'm tired of eating cheese every day. Why can't they get our order right? Go tell Esther we are not leaving until we get our mimosas and avocado toast." - [[All right then->Harold goes to see Esther]] - [[Do I have to?->Janie goes to see Esther]]

"All right then," said Harold, and he [[scurried over to see Esther->Harold complains to Esther]].

"Esther, there seems to be a problem with our order," Harold timidly began. "We ordered mimosas and avocado toast, but you brought us a bit of cheese. May we have mimosas please?" Esther heard "Squeak squeak _squeak_ squeeeak squeak?" She smiled and gave Harold a [[scratch behind the ears->It's no use]].

"Do I have to?" said Harold. "Look, we have a nice table here at the cafe and Esther always brings us a good bit of cheese. I don't want to complain." "In that case, I'll do it myself," said Janie. She got up from the table and [[scurried over to see Esther->Janie complains to Esther]].

"Esther, there seems to be a problem with our order," Janie squeaked as loudly as she could. "We ordered mimosas and avocado toast, but you brought us a bit of cheese. Will you please bring us an avocado toast?" Esther heard "Squeak squeak _squeak_ squeeeak squeak?" She smiled and gave Janie a [[scratch behind the ears->It's no use]].

"It's no use," said Harold, "because Esther doesn't speak squeak. She doesn't understand our order." "Then we'll make her understand," said Janie, and she led Esther over to the tiny table. <% // Initial state s.eatableFoods = ['crackers', 'cheese'] %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<% // Eating is always an option for Harold, as long as there's food on the table. if (s.eatableFoods.length && !(s.hasAvocadoToast && s.hasMimosa)) { %> - [[Eat <%= s.eatableFoods[s.eatableFoods.length - 1] %>]]<% } // The next few items transform or combine items you've got, moving the story forward. // Scraping the cinnamon off the toast gets you buttered toast. if (isVisited('Pretend to eat toast') && !isVisited('Scrape the cinnamon off of the toast')) { %> - [[Scrape the cinnamon off of the toast]]<% } // Drinking the "coffee" leaves you with empty cups. if (isVisited('Pretend to drink mimosas') && !isVisited('Drink coffee')) { %> - [[Drink coffee]]<% } // Squeezing the orange into the cup makes a "mimosa" if (s.hasEmptyCup && s.hasOrangeSlice && !isVisited('Squeeze the orange into the cup')) { %> - [[Squeeze the orange into the cup]]<% } // Putting guacamole on the toast makes "avocado toast" if (!isVisited('Put the guacamole on the toast') && s.hasButteredToast && s.hasAvocado) { %> - [[Put the guacamole on the toast]]<% } // Once you have both, you can just enjoy your brunch! if (!isVisited('Enjoy brunch') && s.hasMimosa && s.hasAvocadoToast) { %> - [[Enjoy brunch]]<% } // The first challenge is to tell Esther you want to order. if (!s.estherTakingYourOrder) { if (!isVisited('Squeak louder')) { %> - [[Squeak louder]]<% } if (!isVisited('Protest')) { %> - [[Protest]]<% } if (!isVisited('Push the plate away')) { %> - [[Push the plate away]]<% } if (!isVisited('Point at the menu')) { %> - [[Point at the menu]]<% } } else { // Now that Esther's taking your order, you have to say what you want. // Pretending to drink mimosas will get you "coffee." if (!isVisited('Pretend to drink mimosas')) { %> - [[Pretend to drink mimosas]]<% } // Pretending to be an avocado is just funny. if (!isVisited('Do your best impression of an avocado') && !(s.hasAvocado || s.hasAvocadoToast)) { %> - [[Do your best impression of an avocado]]<% } // Pretending to eat toast gets you cinnamon toast. if (!isVisited('Pretend to eat toast')) { %> - [[Pretend to eat toast]]<% } // Reading the menu reveals a couple of mystery items. if (!s.hasReadMenu) { %> - [[Read the menu]]<% } // The orange circle gets you an orange slice. if (s.hasReadMenu && !isVisited('Point at the orange circle on the menu')) { %> - [[Point at the orange circle on the menu]]<% } // If Harold eats the orange slice, you can order another one. if (isVisited('Eat the orange slice') && !isVisited('Point at the orange on the menu again')) { %> - [[Point at the orange on the menu again]]<% } // The yellow triangle gets you a quesadilla. if (s.hasReadMenu && !isVisited('Point at the yellow triangle on the menu')) { %> - [[Point at the yellow triangle on the menu]]<% } } %>

<img src="./img/ai_01.webp" /> "I like cheese," mumbled Harold around shreds of sharp cheddar. "So do I," said Janie, picking at a bit of Asadero, "but today I'd rather have avocado toast." <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'cheese') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

"Crackers are very good too," crunched Harold with his mouth full. <% if (s.hasMimosa) { %> "These mimosas pair nicely with them," Janie added. <% } else { %> "A mimosa would pair nicely with them," said Janie. "All we need is <%= [!s.hasOrangeSlice && "some orange juice", !s.hasEmptyCup && "an empty cup"].filter(x => x).join(' and ') %>." <% } %> Esther busied herself with another table. <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'crackers') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Harold folded up the quesadilla and took a big bite. <% if (s.hasAvocadoToast) { %> Janie gave Harold a look. "What?" said Harold. <% } else { %> Janie grabbed the guacamole. "We need this for the avocado toast!" <% } %> <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the quesadilla') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Harold nibbled through the orange slice and smacked his lips. "Hey, we needed that!" said Janie. "Now you have to ask Esther for another one." <% s.hasOrangeSlice = false %> <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the orange slice') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Harold reached for the toast. "No!" cried Janie. "We need that for our avocado toast!" "Oh right," said Harold, and he looked for something else to eat. <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the toast') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_09.webp" /> Harold picked up the spoon and licked up all the cinnamon sugar. "Yum!" he said. "You'll ruin your appetite," said Janie. "Not possible," said Harold. <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the cinnamon sugar') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Janie and Harold squeaked at the top of their little lungs, "WE'D LIKE TO ORDER TWO MIMOSAS AND THE AVOCADO TOAST PLEASE." Esther heard "SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEAK SQUEEEAK SQUEAK." She looked confused. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Is the cheese no good today?" <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_10.webp" /> Janie and Harold scribbled slogans on their tiny placemats and marched in circles around the table. "MORE MIMOSAS FOR MICE!" they chanted, "AVO TOAST OR BUST!" But Esther couldn't read their mouse-writing. She smiled and clapped along with their chant, but she did not bring them mimosas or avocado toast. <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Janie gingerly pushed the plate of cheese and cracker toward Esther. "Oh," said Esther. "Did you want something different today?" Harold nodded. Janie clapped. <% s.estherTakingYourOrder = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_05.webp" /> Janie and Harold pointed up at the chalkboard menu, which had a lot of swirly writing and a yellow triangle and an orange circle. "Oh!" said Esther. "You want to order something else?" Harold nodded. Janie clapped. <% s.hasReadMenu = true %> <% s.estherTakingYourOrder = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_05.webp" /> Harold and Janie looked up at the chalkboard menu. There was a lot of swirly writing, and also a yellow triangle and an orange circle. <% s.hasReadMenu = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Janie and Harold clinked invisible glasses and did their best impression of sipping mimosas together. "You want something to drink," declared Esther. "How about a coffee?" She went to her counter and returned with two little plastic cups of creamer, which she carefully opened and set on the table. <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_04.webp" /> "What's an avocado look like?" asked Harold. "Something like this," said Janie. She flattened her ears and poofed out her fur and did her best to look like an avocado. Esther and Harold giggled at Janie's funny pose. <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Janie buttered an invisible toast and pretended to nibble delicately at it. Harold stuffed his pretend toast in his mouth and licked his fingers with pretend satisfaction. "Toast? I can make that!" said Esther. "[[You'll love it->Get cinnamon toast]]."

Esther went away and came back with a great big slice of buttered toast, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. <% if (s.hasAvocado) { %>"Excellent!" said Janie, smiling at Esther. "We have avocado, and toast. Now to put them together!"<% } else { %>"Well, that's a start!" said Janie, smiling at Esther. "Now we need some avocado."<% } %> Harold rubbed his paws together in anticipation. <% addTo(s.eatableFoods, 'the toast') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_06.webp" /> Harold pointed up at the orange circle, squeaking for emphasis. "One seasonal fruit, coming right up!" said Esther. A moment later she set a gigantic orange slice on their little table. "Bon appétit!" <% s.hasOrangeSlice = true %> <% addTo(s.eatableFoods, 'the orange slice') %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_06.webp" /> Harold pointed to the orange circle again. "More fruit? Coming right up!" said Esther, and she brought another orange slice to the table. <% s.hasOrangeSlice = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_07.webp" /> Janie looked at Esther and pointed up at the yellow triangle on the menu. "You want the special?" asked Esther. "And here I thought you weren't in the mood for cheese." She smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. A minute later she returned carrying a cold tortilla filled with a slice of velveeta, and a little cup of guacamole on the side. "Here's your quesadilla!" "Oh look," said Janie, "some avocado!<% if (!isVisited('Pretend to eat toast')) { %> Now we just need some toast.<% } %>" <% addTo(s.eatableFoods, 'the quesadilla') %> <% s.hasAvocado = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

<img src="./img/ai_08.webp" /> Janie sniffed cautiosly at the coffee creamer. Harold took a sip. "Mmmmm!" he hummed noisily, a smile spreading across his lips. He emptied his cup. "Are you going to drink that?" he asked, reaching across the table for Janie's cup. "Not until there's orange juice in this cup," said Janie. <% s.hasEmptyCup = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Janie carefully squeezed the orange slice over their cups, filling them with orange juice. She took a sip and smiled. "Close enough," she declared, handing one to Harold. "Cheers!" "Cheers!" cried Harold.<% if (!s.hasAvocadoToast) { %> "Now what about the avocado toast?"<% } %> <% s.hasEmptyCup = false %> <% s.hasOrangeSlice = false %> <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the orange slice') %> <% s.hasMimosa = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

With a plastic spoon, Janie carefully scraped the cinnamon-sugar topping off of the toast. Esther looked puzzled. "But that's the best part!" <% addTo(s.eatableFoods, 'the cinnamon sugar') %> <% s.hasButteredToast = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Harold spread the guacamole on the toast and held it out to Janie. They each took a bite. "Yum!" said Harold. "Wonderful," said Janie, closing her eyes to savor her brunch. "Thank you Esther!<% if (!s.hasMimosa) { %> Now we just need our mimosas.<% } %>" <% removeFrom(s.eatableFoods, 'the toast') %> <% s.hasButteredToast = false %> <% s.hasAvocado = false %> <% s.hasAvocadoToast = true %> <%= story.render('Menu') %>

Harold and Janie smiled up at Esther. "Thank you!" they squeaked. Then they gobbled up their mimosas and avocado toast. "That was lovely," said Janie. "[[Now all we need is dessert]]," said Harold.

At that moment, Esther's father stepped into the yard, carrying a tapioca pudding cup for Esther. When he saw the mice, he dropped the pudding right onto Harold's head! "Eek!" yelled Esther's father. "Squeak!" yelled Janie. "Yum!" yelled Harold from inside the pudding cup. As the two mice scurried away, they agreed it was the best brunch they'd ever had. <div.the-end> The End </div>