Episode 2 isn't acknowledging the choices I made in Episode 1

I’ve used If/Elif/Else, flags, goto, gain…
I don’t know what the problem is, please help.

EPISODE 1:

EXT. MOUNT 3

@zoom reset
@speechbubble reset
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
I heard the story nearly a thousand times; Dad would recite it during bedtime.
On the day that I was born, the skies were clear. Devoid of clouds as it were, like a treat to those familiar with our usual weather.
The day where dogs were walked, children played, and sweet nothings were exclaimed.
"And when I first held you, I took in not only that, but the frail, gaunt form you once had," Dad murmured.
You see I was born in a rather weak state, my face so sunken and discolored, one could not help but pity my poor soul.
He was no exception.
In the second He was there, He heard my pleas for help, my muffled sobs, and never before had He ever been cursed with such a morose tale.

@transition fade out black 2.0

INT. HOSPITAL BED - DAY
&cut to zone 3
@add Baby Swaddle White Blanket to YOUNG DAD
@YOUNG MUM spot 1 -225 375 in zone 3 AND YOUNG MUM faces left AND YOUNG MUM is idle_lay_groggy_eyesclosed_loop AND YOUNG DAD spot 1.280 230 0 in zone 3 AND YOUNG DAD faces left AND YOUNG DAD is idle_baby_cry_sad_loop

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100%
NARR
On that day, Dad made a promise.
A promise he made out of desperation, fully appreciating every second with her.
As Dad held me in his arms, his heart was in sync with his soul, aching for her to come back.

@transition fade out black 2.0
@remove YOUNG MUM
@remove YOUNG DAD

INT. ISLAND BEDROOM - DAY
&cut to zone 1
@speechbubble reset
@reset hsl
@DAD enters from left to spot 1.280 75 0
@speechbubble is 160 250 to 100%
@zoom reset

    DAD (talk_neutral)
Vivian, you're going to be late to school!

@YOU enters from right to spot 1.280 250 0
YOU (talk_agree_happy)
I’m almost ready, besides; I have someone that’ll take.

################################# CHOICE #######################################

    NARR
Who will be taking you to school?

choice (SCHOOL)
“Mari, my best friend” {

    YOU (talk_agree_happy)
She promised to take me until I get a car.

gain MARI_SCHOOL

    DAD (talk_neutral)
It's nice to know you have a friend watching out for you, and to know that I don't have to drive you to school anymore.

goto mari_to_school

} “Dad” {

    YOU (talk_neutral)
You silly!

gain DAD_SCHOOL

    DAD (talk_neutral_loop)
Right, my mind isn't what it use to be as well as my knees.
Let's go, kiddo, before they both give out.

goto dad_to_school

} “The bus driver” {

    YOU (talk_sad_exhausted)
The bus driver...

gain BUS_SCHOOL

@YOU starts idle

    DAD (talk_neutral)
I'm surprised to hear that Ms. Smith is still kicking.
She use to drive me to school back in the day.

goto go_to_bus

}

################################### MARI #######################################

label mari_to_school

    YOU (talk_agree_happy)
Gee, thanks Dad!
I better get going. I think she's already outside.

    DAD (talk_neutral)
I'll walk you out.

@YOU exits left AND DAD exits left

EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD CAR LOOP - DAY with CAR ANGLE SILVER with effect HARD RAIN

@zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 0
@overlay CAR ANGLE SILVER shifts to -416 -17
@overlay CAR ANGLE SILVER scales to 0.957 0.957
@MARI spot 1.322 199 -116 AND MARI faces right
@MARI moves to layer 0
@YOU spot 1.364 87 -141 AND YOU faces right
@YOU moves to layer 0
@MARI starts idle_sad_loop
@YOU starts idle
&zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 3
@transition fade in black 3
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left

    YOU (talk_neutral_loop)
I really appreciate you taking me, means the world.
I don't think I could've survived another year of riding Ms. Smith's bus!

@YOU starts idle
@MARI starts idle_sad_loop
@speechbubble is 129 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_sad_serious_loop)
No problemo, chica.
Driving to school alone was getting kinda lonely anyway.
Listen, I'm gonna tell you something, but you have to swear you won't freak.
I - I broke up with Josh.
Also, not a big deal.

@MARI starts idle_sad_loop
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_exclaim_no_worried)
Wait - you guys broke up?!

@YOU starts idle_cup_worried_loop
@MARI starts idle_sad_loop
@speechbubble is 129 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_sad_exhausted)
Yea, last night. We both decided we were better off as friends.
A mutual decision, really.

@MARI starts idle_sad_loop
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left

    YOU (talk_afraid)
I'm here for you if y-

INT. BLACK - NIGHT
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
Before I was able to articulate my sympathetic consolation, we came across a horrific scene...

@transition fade out black 3.0
goto the_end

#################################### DAD #######################################

label dad_to_school

@zoom reset
@DAD starts idle
@YOU exits left AND DAD exits left

EXT. CITY HIGHWAY LOOP - DAY with CAR ANGLE VINTAGE with effect HARD RAIN
&cut to zone 1
@zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 0
@DAD faces right AND YOU faces right
@DAD spot 1.322 212 -110
@DAD moves to layer 0
@YOU spot 1.364 87 -141
@YOU moves to layer 0
@overlay CAR ANGLE VINTAGE shifts to -620 -218
@overlay CAR ANGLE VINTAGE scales to 1.317 1.317
@DAD starts idle
@YOU starts idle
&zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 3
@transition fade in black 2
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right

    DAD (talk_neutral)
How are you and Mari doing? Still going strong?

@DAD starts idle
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0
@YOU starts eyeroll_subtle

    YOU (talk_smile_happy_loop)
First of all, we're not dating. She's straight.

@YOU starts idle

    YOU (talk_sad)
Second of all, she's been acting strange lately. Aloof even.

@YOU starts idle_sad_loop

    YOU (talk_sad)
I got an ominous text from her this morning, "We need to talk."

@speechbubble is 129 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    DAD (talk_explain_neutral)
Well if I learned anything about you two is that you guys read too much into things.

@DAD starts idle

    DAD (talk_explain_neutral)
I'm sure everything will be fine in the long run.

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_neutral_loop)

You clearly haven't learned a thing then.

@YOU starts laugh_chuckle
@YOU starts idle
@transition fade out black in 2.0

INT. BLACK - NIGHT
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
Traffic was slow. Bottlenecking, merging, and honking.
It took an hour and a half to arrive.
It wasn't until I reached my destination that I received notice of what had happened.

@zoom reset
goto the_end

#################################### BUS #######################################

label go_to_bus

@DAD starts laugh_chuckle
@DAD starts idle

    DAD (talk_neutral)
You should get going; I'll walk you out.

@YOU exits left AND DAD exits left
@transition fade out black 2.0

EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD LOOP - DAY with CAR SIDE VAN with effect HARD RAIN
@zoom on 14 261 to 265% in 0
@YOU spot 1.364 82 -112
@YOU moves to layer 0
@overlay CAR SIDE VAN shifts to -385 -393
@overlay CAR SIDE VAN scales to 2.282 2.282
@YOU starts idle_baby_worried_loop
@speechbubble is 150 168 to 100%

    NARR
Every year is the same.
Ms. Smith yells at the kids in the back to settle down.
They don't.
She gets mad.
They snicker.
Only rarely would she pull up on the curb and give them a lesson of a life time.
There were a number of anomalies that occurred today.
First, when she stationed the bus on the edge of the dirt road.
Second, when the country lane started to crumble.
Third, when my vision started to turn.
Ms. Smith rarely stops the bus.
And we rarely have mudslides.
But when one or the other happens, the end results are disastrous.

@transition fade out black 2.0

label the_end

INT. BLACK - NIGHT
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
To be continued...

EPISODE 2:

if (SCHOOL is “Mari, my best friend”) {

goto mari_to_school

}elif (SCHOOL is “Dad”) {

goto dad_to_school

}else{

goto bus_to_school

}

################################### MARI #######################################

label mari_to_school

@transition fade in black 2.0

EXT. MOUNTAIN ROAD - DAY with CAR ANGLE SILVER with effect HARD RAIN
@zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 0
@overlay CAR ANGLE SILVER shifts to -416 -17
@overlay CAR ANGLE SILVER scales to 0.957 0.957
@MARI spot 1.322 199 -116 AND MARI faces right
@MARI moves to layer 0
@YOU spot 1.364 87 -141 AND YOU faces right
@YOU moves to layer 0
@MARI starts idle_cup_worried_loop
@YOU starts idle_terrified_loop
&zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 3
@transition fade in black 3
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left

    NARR
When the heavy rain began drenching the area, mud came in an instant, like a dam breaking.
The narrow street became a rapid.
Within seconds the bus began moving sideways, disappearing underneath the mud and crashing into trees.
Mud blanketed our flora and fauna for miles.
With nowhere to go, the passengers crawled out of the windshield.
Ambulances started transporting those who were injured to the nearest hospital.
When a series of authorities told us to evacuate the area, we paid no heed.
Instead, we sat in silence at the edge of Pali Cliff.

    YOU (talk_afraid)
D - Did that really just happen?!

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_baby_exhausted)
Vivia -

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_exclaim_no_worried)
No, I must have imagined it.

@YOU starts idle_armscrossed_awkward_loop
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_exhausted)
Viv -

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_confused_mindblown)
But that would mean that you imagined it too.

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_complain_angry)
| bold |VIVIAN!

@MARI starts idle_armscrossed_awkward_loop
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_exclaim_no_worried)
What?!

@YOU starts idle_armscrossed_awkward_loop
@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_shrug_concerned)
Josh, doesn't he ride your bus?

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left
@zoom on 0 199 to 181% in 0

    YOU (talk_startled_neutral)
You don't think...

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right
@zoom on 249 228 to 206% in 0

    MARI (talk_baby_exhausted)
Only one way to find out.

@MARI starts idle_sad_timid_loop
@YOU starts idle_armscrossed_awkward_loop
@zoom on 249 228 to 100% in 3

    NARR
Will you see if Josh is in the hospital or go to school?

choice (go_to_josh)
“Go to the hospital” {

gain go_see_josh_to_hospital

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left

    YOU (talk_cup_worried)
Start the car.

@transition fade in black 2.0

goto go_see_josh_to_hospital

}“Go to school”{

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_left

    YOU (talk_cup_worried)
I doubt he rode today...

gain josh_is_fine_to_school

@speechbubble is 162 150 to 100% with tail_top_right

    MARI (talk_baby_worried_atbaby)
Hopefully...

goto josh_is_fine_to_school

}

#!!! SEE JOSH IN HOSPITAL !!!#

label go_see_josh_to_hospital

INT. JUVIE HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY
&cut to zone 1
@MARI enters from left to spot 1.280 75 0
@YOU enters from left to spot 1.280 85 0
@speechbubble is 160 250 to 100%
@MARI faces right AND YOU faces right

    NARR
Accident and emergency.
Wide entrance with automatic sliding glass doors.
Ambulances lined up outside, paramedics wheeling in patients on trolleys.
One kid is in a neck brace, another is screaming in the corridors, doctors come running.

#@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ GO TO SCHOOL @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@#

label josh_is_fine_to_school

@speechbubble reset
@zoom reset

INT. CLASSROOM DESK - DAY
@YOU spot 1.500 55 -140 AND YOU faces left AND MARI spot 1.500 270 -140 AND MARI faces left
@YOU starts idle_cup_worried_loop
@MARI starts idle_armscrossed_awkward_loop
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
In class, the dean announced that there was a mudslide off the edge of Pali Cliff.
"We've been informed that students are being pulled from the wreckage," he said in a lamentable manner.
"School will be dismissed early."
Pali Cliff...
That's near the route Ms. Smith takes.
My bus..
Josh's bus...
Near the route.

#################################### DAD #######################################

label dad_to_school

@speechbubble reset
@zoom reset

INT. CLASSROOM DESK - DAY
@YOU spot 1.525 68 -139 AND YOU faces left
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
In class, the dean announced that there was a mudslide off the edge of Pali Cliff.
"We've been informed that students are being pulled from the wreckage," he said in a lamentable manner.
"School will be dismissed early."
Pali Cliff...
That's near the route Ms. Smith takes.
My bus..
Josh's bus...
Near the route.
Near the route Mari takes!
The nausea swirled unrestrained in my empty stomach.

#################################### BUS #######################################

label bus_to_school

INT. HOSPITAL LIGHT
@zoom on 140 569 to 165% in 0
@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
The first thing that appeared to when I opened my eyes was the ceiling.
It was made from those polystyrene squares laid on a grid-like frame.
The room is as devoid of beauty as I am of strength.
The air has an undertone of bleach.
Hospital.
I'm in a hospital.
I black out.

@transition fade out 3.0
@zoom reset
@speechbubble reset

INT. BLACK - NIGHT
@zoom on 160 284 to 100% in 0
@AZRAELA spot 2.663 140 -720
@AZRAELA moves to layer 0
@speechbubble is 153 177 to 100% with tail_top_left

    AZRAELA (talk_armscrossed_condescending_loop)
That's it...
Go towards the light.
No need to rush, but...the sooner the better.

@AZRAELA spot 2.663 160 -720
@AZRAELA starts idle

    AZRAELA (talk_armscrossed_shrug_neutral)
You're doing great, sweetie.

@AZRAELA starts idle
@pause for a beat

    AZRAELA (talk_exclaim_no_worried)
Why aren't you dying?!

    AZRAELA (talk_confused_mindblown)
This should have ended the moment she blacked out!
The council was right; I'm not ready to take souls yet!

@AZRAELA starts deepbreath

    AZRAELA (talk_think_neutral)
No, no, no. I got this!

@AZRAELA starts think_rubchin

    AZRAELA (talk_think_neutral)
Maybe if I scare her?

@AZRAELA starts talk_squat_peekaboo

    AZRAELA (talk_apathetic)
Well that didn't work.

    NARR
What should I do?

choice “Wake Vivian up” {

} “Call the Soul-Taking Hotline” {

    AZRAELA (talk_phone_neutral_loop)
Soul-Taking Hotline? This is -

@AZRAELA starts idle_phone_neutral_loop

    NARR
This is the Soul-Taking Hotline. Please hold while we assist other Takers.

@AZRAELA starts hangup_phone_angry

    AZRAELA
Here goes nothing.

@speechbubble is 160 275 to 100%

    NARR
To be continued...

}

It’s easier to do it like:

Choice (Hotdog)
“Chili cheese!” {

}
“Ew nope” {

}

After…

If (Hotdog is “Ew nope”) {

}
If (Hotdog is “Chili cheese!”) {

}

That didn’t seem to work. Any other suggestions?

Oof. I dunno

Thank you for your help though.
I appreciate it!

1 Like

Okay, so after looking at this for ten minutes I finally figured out what you did wrong😂

You have to use the gains word by word

In your first episode you did
Gain MARI_SCHOOL

But in the second episode you put SCHOOL Mari, my bestfriend

Since for the gain you used MARI_SCHOOL in the first episode, in the second episode you would code it something like this

If (MARI_SCHOOL) blah blah blah (with the brackets of course)

There’s a couple times where you didn’t write the gains word by word, and I’m pretty sure thats the problem, let me know if you’re a little confused and I’ll try to elaborate better.

Did you reset the story progress in-app when testing gains/past choices?

Are you testing your story using the web previewer? If so, the web previewer doesn’t remember things from different episodes. You will have to test this out in the app.

@ZADDY @StoryWriter10 @azariasin @Dara.Amarie
I can’t stress how thankful I am!!! :sob: Kudos to everyone who put the effort into helping me.
Turns out it was a series of both not putting the gains and using the web previewer. :sweat_smile:

1 Like

You’re welcome! Glad you finally figured it out!

1 Like

Moved to Directing Helps and Tips since it involves coding/scripting. Make sure to check out our Forum Tutorial for more info about where to correctly create topics. :wink: