July 21st, 2019 -

"Y'all know what time it is," Pearl chimes in. "It's off the hook coming at you from Inkopolis Square!" Marina boasts.

You and Callie observe a live newscast presented in the plaza. Marie also joins you to witness the Splatfest results. "I know we're on different teams, but I'm glad you could join us, Marie, "Callie confesses.

"Me too. Well, as long as you two don't do anything lovey-dovey while I'm here," Marie winks.

"It's not like that, Marie. There's no way he wou- I already told you were just friends," Callie clarifies.

"Yeah, that top sure screams were just friends."

Callie instinctively covers her chest and avoids making eye contact with you.

"OHH! The Splatfest results are in!" Marina buzzes. "Aight, first let's see which team was the most popular," Pearl announces. "Let's find out!" Marina adds.

"Bada bada bada bada..."

"Buda buda buda buda..."

"You have to tell him eventually, or he's going to find someone else," Marie urges. Callie maintains a reserved nature and refrains from responding to Marie's comment.

Popularity - 58.05% to 41.95%

"I think I have to go to the bathroom," Callie says as she flees from the awkward scene. Callie seems noticeably troubled by Marie's claim.

Clout - Normal = 51.39% to 48.61%, Pro = 50.34% to 49.66%

"Are you kidding me?!" "Wow!" Pearl and Marina conclude.

"Okay yall its time," Pearl says, crossing her fingers.

"the final results!" Marina says, biting her lip.

Results - "The winner of this Splatfest is..." "*gulp*"

"BLAM!" "BUH-BAM!"

3-0

"CHAOS REIGNS!" Pearl cries out. "NOOOOOOOOO!"Marina exclaims.

"Callie has a difficult time communicating her emotions to people. Just be patient, and I'm sure she'll reveal the truth," Marie discloses.

Error Code 56342552367

The headset is ejected from your pupils by two spunky individuals.

"Your first aid has arrived," Marina proclaims. "Don't we look cute in nurse outfits," Pearl remarks.

Your quite distraught by the current circumstances. What are Marina and Pearl doing here?

"I can tell by the look on your face that you're slightly bewildered. Pearl and Marina were recently enlisted our medical staff and are heavily associated with the VR project. They will be monitoring your health and well-being during this procedure," C reports.

• You inquire about C's knowledge of the current simulation.

"Your vision is rigged to this monitor. I can see everything you can see — even the more disturbing bits.

However, that doesn't discount your importance Agent 4. We need you to access the memory database through VR. Everyone carries their own unique set of memories. I can't access yours, and you can't access mine. Any more questions," C queries.

• You puff up your chest and solicit a bold inquiry - Who are you?

C is initially silent.

He chooses his words carefully, "I will oblige with your request under one condition. You have to stick to protocol and don't go sticking your nose where it doesn't belong. Do we have a deal, Agent 4."

• You give him a firm nod and a hearty salute.

"Okay, to tell you the truth, I didn't know Callie nor her friends. However, her importance in sustaining civilization is tantamount. Her passcode is the final piece of the puzzle. Think of it as a key, unlocking the path to prosperity."

• You keep challenging his statement, attempting to uncover his real connection to Callie.

"As I said, Callie and I never crossed paths. However, I do know one thing...

It would be best if you had a break from the VR operation. Constantly reliving stressful and tense recollections through the machine could cause severe damage to one's psyche," C notes. Pearl and Marina assist you out of the metal chair. "We'll resume your work tomorrow. For now, try to keep a clear head and calm down."

Marina and Pearl escort you out of the VR chamber and onto a narrow bridge. Outside the glass, bright and vibrant scenery is displayed. However, the interior of the walkway exhibits a stark contrast to the exterior. The habitat is molded and decayed beyond restoration. The luminous scene is all an elaborate facade. You ponder the reason for the false imagery. Why would Grizzco go to such lengths to incorporate such an obvious trick? Maybe it's to make people feel more comfortable, even if they know they're in the apocalypse.

You're taken through the medical bay and into the infirmary. Marina prepares the hospital bed for your arrival. "I'm sure you know the health risks provided with VR, " Marina reaffirms. "You did sign the document after all. Although it's mandatory I give you another run down. The VR helmet is hooked up to your cerebral cortex through a series of electromagnetic waves. Experiencing tragic or dreadful visions through the headset can cause a myriad of psychological issues. Human brains aren't built for reliving memories, and justly many unfortunate side-effects can stem from the method," Marina confesses solemnly.

Pearl butts in, "Also, the machine is basically a loud lightbox strapped to your retinas. So it's not surprising that multiple cases of eye injury and perception difficulties have been documented. Heck, I'm sure you've already experienced the static disturbance that's paired with overuse.

"Were not supposed to tell him about that yet," Marina scolds. "Oh, sorry, I forgot," Pearl apologizes. "Just ignore that part for now. All of the symptoms you're currently experiencing are indeed treatable. The static dissonance doesn't come into play until much later.

Pearl whispers in your ear as Marina is preoccupied scrubbing her hands with soap and water, "It's too early for you to feel a static sensation, but when you do, take extreme caution. Your life could be in jeopardy."

"Okay, were going to do a little check-up on you, so sit tight," Marina asserts.

Pearl piles numerous layers of cotton on top of you. "Let me check your temperature you look a little hot," Pearl says as she extracts a thermometer from the drawer. "Could you test his temperature before you submerge him in cloth?" Marina criticizes.

"I just wanted him to be comfy, geez," Pearl refutes. "You know, this nursing gig isn't what I expected it to be. I don't think pop stars are cut out for the medical field," Pearl states.

"I, for one, am enjoying this new occupation. Helping other people out is my specialty. I've written tons of cards and letters to the elderly, hoping to bring a little bit of sunshine into their day," Marina passionately affirms.

"Snore, that's soooo boring," Pearl interrupts.

• You raise a concern about their odd nursing endeavors.

"Ever since the apocalypse started, we relied less on entertainment and more on therapeutic practices. Music and other recreational mediums have been pushed to the wayside in favor of determining cures and remedies for prominent health issues. Now sit up, I have to listen to your heartbeat," Marina commands.

"We weren't the ones who choose it either. C assigned us as nurses. I don't know why, we don't know the first thing about treating patients," Pearl insists.

"Pearl doesn't know the first thing about treating patients. I actually took a CPR class during my third year of high school, " Marina brags. Marina equips a stethoscope and shifts the instrument around your torso. "Deep breaths," Marina orders.

"Just because you take one course in school, doesn't mean you're qualified to perform brain surgery, " Pearl mumbles.

• You refocus the conversation on the topic of C's identity.

"That guy gives me the creeps; he uses a voice modifier and hides his face from his closest allies. Something is not right about him," Marina exemplifies.

"Him? How do you know it's a dude. C uses a voice modifier to make his/her voice sound deep. We can't rule out the possibility that C could be a girl."

Marina elaborates on the rumors surrounding C's identification, "The director's real name remains unknown, but many theories have circulated within the workplace. I'm guessing that it's Captain Cuttlefish, that guy's been missing for years, and his name fits the alias of C too, " Marina explains.

"C'mon, if it was a secret identity, why would it be the same letter of his/her name?" Pearl says as she examines your ear canal with an otoscope.

"Well, what's your theory then," Marina scoffs.

"My bizarre hypothesis is that... It's Callie. It fits the criteria, and it would make for a great twist," Pearl expresses.

"Why would Callie want to know her own cell phone passcode?" Marina questions.

"Maybe it's a ploy to mislead us." Pearl replies.

"Callie was killed in the bombing incident. We even attended her funeral. How could you thi-"

"Calle's body was never found, how can we be sure she's dead."

"I don't know, but didn't you just say it couldn't be someone with a name that started with a C?" Marina answers. Marina then taps the tendon below your kneecap with a small hammer. As your leg jerks up from its resting state, Marina resumes filling out more information on her clipboard.

"Well, it could be a reverse red herring," Pearl argues.

"Okay, now your just making things up," Marina deduces.

"Maybe I am, perhaps I'm not, whoooo knooows," Pearl says as she dances around the bed.

"Ugh, who do you think C is Agent 4," Marina pleads.

• You suggest Marie as a potential suspect.

Pearl and Marina are entirely puzzled by your assertion. "Wait, I don't think he knows." "Yeah, let's bring him to her."

The next thing you know, you're positioned outside a set of bulletproof doors. A pair of guards check your credentials before permitting you to enter. Once you penetrate the lavishly decorated office, a familiar character approaches you.

It's Marie clothed in business attire. She sits at a massive wooden desk centered in the middle of the room. "Who is it," Marie calls out.

Marie's eyes look dilapidated, and her skin is snow white. Even her voice sounds much raspier than you remember. "Oh, greetings Agent 4," Marie welcomes. "Or should I say Callie's old boyfriend?"