ADDISON: What about Max’s challenge?
JULIAN: I’m on it. I can get a team together.
PAYTON: Homecoming is going to take more than just a football team… we’ll need to have a dance. And a halftime show! I know they expect us to fail, and they’re just trying to humiliate us, but if we can pull it off, this is going to be fun!
JULIAN: Wait a second. Did I miss something? Having a Homecoming is great, but are you really going to let Kara get away with dumping coffee all over you?
PAYTON: Um… that was kind of the plan…
ADDISON: What are you suggesting, Julian?
JULIAN: You should settle this the way the guys on the team do. What would you say to getting a little revenge tonight? How about a prank?
PAYTON: Revenge? Against Kara?! That’s insane!
JULIAN: Come on, man up. Er, woman up? Person up? You know what I mean! The point is that we can’t let Kara come to our school and mess with Payton and get away with it! What do you say? Are you in, Addison?
[ Have 10 Classmates | None | 2700xp ]
AUTUMN: Hey, Addison! Julian! I’ve got some good news!
ADDISON: What’s up?
AUTUMN: I talked to my dad… I told him about how your school’s growing every day, and how you actually have solid academics here…
JULIAN: And?
AUTUMN: And how you’re having a Homecoming game against Hearst High…
JULIAN: Yeah, and?
AUTUMN: And he wants to come check out the school!
ADDISON: That’s great news!
JULIAN: That’s awesome! That’s… I mean, that’s cool. Uh. High-five.
AUTUMN: Haha. I’m sooo excited. I can’t wait to get out of Hearst High.
ADDISON: So when is your dad coming?
AUTUMN: Actually… he’ll be here for the game. He’s a big football guy, and I kind of get the vibe he’s going to judge you based on how it goes…
ADDISON: Well, I guess we better win, then.
JULIAN: We’ll bring home a victory for you, Autumn.
AUTUMN: Heh. I’ll see you guys later. Good luck getting ready for Homecoming!
Later that day…
PAYTON: Hey! Addison! Got a sec?
ADDISON: Sure, Payton. What’s up?
PAYTON: I’ve been working super hard to get the Homecoming Dance set up… but the tickets just aren’t selling! I’ve tried everything… posters with glitter, posters with bows, even posters within posters! It’s very meta.
ADDISON: What do you think the problem is?
PAYTON: If there’s one thing I know about dances, it’s that no one wants to go alone… even the creepy goth kids! If you want this Homecoming to be a success, we’ve got to get more people coupled up around here!
[ Have 3 Couples | None | 1350xp ]
PAYTON: Awesome! So many happy couples… and ticket sales are through the roof! We’ve even got enough cash for more posters!
ADDISON: Or… you could buy something else…
PAYTON: Whatever! Just take the compliment. I’m saying you’re quite the matchmaker, Addison!
ADDISON: Heh. Thanks! The dance tonight is going to be awesome!
JULIAN: Hey! Addison! There’s something weird going on. I got a text from a blocked number… with a warning that someone was going to be recording our practice today to steal our plays! If Hearst High pulls that off, we’re going to be in a lot of trouble. Can you keep an eye out while I run plays? You’ll need some hedges to hide behind so no one will spot you.
[ Have 1 Hedge, Have 2 Classrooms | None | 1350xp ]
ADDISON: Hey! Up there! In the sky! What is that?
JULIAN: Huh? Where?
ADDISON: There’s a quadrocopter with a video camera!
JULIAN: Is that, like, a dinosaur? When did they learn how to use cameras? I thought they JUST learned how to open doors!
ADDISON: It’s a remote-controlled helicopter thing… and it’s taping your plays!
JULIAN: Get me something to throw at it!
You reach over and toss Julian a… You flail around and don’t grab anything!
ADDISON: Sorry…
The quadrocopter gracefully hovers across the field… and into Max’s hands!
JULIAN: Max! This is seriously low, even for you!
MAX: I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just taking this wonderful little gizmo out for a spin on this beautiful day. Now if you’ll excuse me… I’ve got some football footage to review.
Julian glares at Max as he storms off.
JULIAN: I just wish I knew who sent me that text… Anyway, we’re going to have to focus on our plays. Rewriting the playbook isn’t going to be easy… Can you help me get some people together? And not just football guys, all right? We’re going to need someone who likes working with charts and diagrams.
[ A Jock except Julian, A Nerd (Cameron, Bailey) | 30m | 1350xp ]
JULIAN: Okay, so about this playbook…
CAMERON: Wait a sec. I don’t get what’s going on here. You really want to work with a nerd on our team’s playbook? Bailey doesn’t exactly know much about football…
BAILEY: Even if I did, Cameron wouldn’t listen.
JULIAN: Cameron will listen if I have anything to say about it. You’re both going to help each other.
AUTUMN: Come on, everyone! We’re like a mosaic without coherence or unity, expressing nothing but artistic dissonance!
JULIAN: Hearst High has one of the best football teams in the state. If we want to even have a CHANCE of beating them on the field, we have to pull together.
AUTUMN: That’s what I just said…
CAMERON: I guess we need to give this plan a chance.
BAILEY: Agreed.
CAMERON: There! The playbook is done! You know, I have to say, there’s some pretty smart stuff in here.
BAILEY: It’s a masterpiece! Poetry! A perfect blend of physics and psychology set down in football plays!
JULIAN: Heh. You know, I agree. With this playbook, we’ll be unstoppable! Just get me on the field. I can’t wait to face Hearst and smash Max’s face in!
ADDISON: You mean smash his face in… with football victories?
JULIAN: Yeah, that too.
PAYTON: Hey! Addison! I’m so glad I found you! I’ve got a float emergency! A floatmergency!
ADDISON: Is that like… a bad cough?
PAYTON: With the money I raised selling tickets to the Homecoming Dance, I’m planning a halftime show and float parade! The cheerleaders are working on a routine, and I’m making a bunch of floats! But I need more people to ride on them. I want our parade to be representative of a broader group! Can you help me recruit some people?
[ Have 5 Different Types of Classmate | None | 750c, 1350xp ]
PAYTON: Thank you all for joining me! And a special thanks to Addison, of course. Couldn’t have done it without you.
ADDISON: Happy to help. So, what’s the game plan?
PAYTON: I’ve made some floats, and now we’re going to do a test run around the football field!
ADDISON: The floats look really nice, Payton! Are those real flowers?
PAYTON: I used fresh roses and peonies to spell out ‘Go Team’ on this float… and over here, this float is covered entirely in glitter! Now, let’s get this practice parade started!
Suddenly, something crashes through the float!
ADDISON: Whoa! What was that?
PAYTON: It’s… it’s a football. Julian’s team kicked their stupid ball right through my float!
ADDISON: Can it be fixed?
PAYTON: It took forever to make that Enchanted Forest of Teamwork. It’s going to cost us to repair it. I just don’t have any funds left…
JULIAN: Hey! Can we get our ball back?
PAYTON: Ugh! Go dig for it! It’s buried in the roses for the ‘Enchanted Forest’!
JULIAN: Are you serious? We don’t have time for this. What are you doing on our field, anyway?
PAYTON: We WERE practicing for Homecoming.
JULIAN: What are you TALKING about? Practicing for Homecoming is what WE were trying to do.
PAYTON: I’m talking about practicing for the pre-parade.
JULIAN: Come on, that’s not as important as practicing for the game. Because of you, my players are distracted, AND we’re going to lose valuable practice time digging around in some enchanted hedges to find our ball!
PAYTON: Because of you, I’m going to have to spend hours fixing this float! You totally ruined the ‘Enchanted Forest’!
ADDISON: Um, should we get off the float now?
PAYTON: Just forget about this whole stupid parade! If the football players don’t even appreciate it, what’s the point?
Payton storms off.
JULIAN: Well, we can forget about practice if these floats are in the way.
Julian storms off in the opposite direction.
ADDISON: (This looks like trouble. If Homecoming’s going to be a success, I’ve got to get these two talking again… and that means getting Payton some money and Julian some space to practice.)
[ Spend 5000 coins | None | 1350xp ]
ADDISON: Hey! Payton! You know how you said you needed some cash to fix your float?
PAYTON: Yeah?
ADDISON: ...well, I’ve got it. Here.
PAYTON: Are you SERIOUS?! Thank you, thank you, thank you! You’re the best, Addison!
ADDISON: So… I know you and Julian don’t always see eye to eye… but if we’re going to make Homecoming awesome, you two need to get along. Julian IS the captain of the football team, and the Homecoming Game IS a really big part of Homecoming.
PAYTON: I guess you’re right. Well, if he’s ready to talk… I guess I am too.
[ Add a plot of land | None | 650xp ]
ADDISON: Hey! Julian! I think I solved your space problem.
JULIAN: Yeah?
ADDISON: There’s a new plot of land for your guys to practice on when Payton is using the field.
JULIAN: I still don’t see why that prep gets to use the field when MY team needs to be practicing ‘round the clock.
ADDISON: Ease up on Payton. She’s trying to plan a float parade, AND she’s getting ready for the dance. I know football is a big part of Homecoming, but the things that Payton is doing are important, too. Without them, Homecoming’s just another game!
JULIAN: Okay, okay! Enough with the guilt trip. If she wants to talk… I’m ready.
[ Have 10 Concrete Paths, Have 2 Park Benches | None | 700xp ]
JULIAN: Look, Prep, I’m not proud of how I acted.
PAYTON: Yeah. I’m sorry, too. I know how hard your team is working to get ready for the game. You guys are under a lot of pressure! I wanted all of the Homecoming activities to build the team up and help morale! Not hurt it.
JULIAN: I get that, now. Sorry I didn’t see it earlier.
ADDISON: Well, it’s not too late. What do you say? Ready to start working together?
PAYTON: Yes!
JULIAN: I’m in.
PAYTON: Here’s your football. I found it in the ‘Enchanted Forest’ while I was fixing it…
JULIAN: Sweet. And, uh, I brought you these.
Julian hands Payton a bunch of flowers and vines.
JULIAN: I thought it could help you fix your magic forest.
PAYTON: Julian! That’s so sweet!
Payton gives Julian a big hug!
JULIAN: Hey, no big deal.
PAYTON: So… I was thinking… it would be great to get the football team more involved in the Homecoming activities… if they have time, that is.
JULIAN: I think we can squeeze it in. What did you have in mind?
PAYTON: It would be REALLY great to get a jock to help with the cheerleaders’ routine during the float parade!
JULIAN: Okay, I’m sold. Just tell me what you need from the team.
PAYTON: This is going to be a lot more fun! It’ll get all the fans pumped up for the game, AND it’ll get the players ready to kick some butt!
[ A Level 4+ Jock, A Level 2+ Cheerleader (Finley, Emery) | 40m | 1350xp ]
EMERY: This is going to be the best routine ever!
FINLEY: Uh… yeah! Now… what, exactly, do I have to do?
PAYTON: You’ll be on the float with the cheerleading squad before the game!
EMERY: We’ve got a whole routine we’re doing with flips and throws, and with your help, we’ll be able to get the tosses even higher!
PAYTON: And after the performance, the game’ll start!
FINLEY: Hey, everyone! Thanks for coming!
EMERY: Woo! Go team! We’re going to beat Hearst High! Ready to lift me up?
FINLEY: Here goes…
Finley lifts and twirls Emery! The cheer squad performs their routine. For the finale, they fire off a confetti canon and perform a multi-rotation Basket Toss!
EMERY: Let’s go, team! Woo!
PAYTON: That was perfect! Good job, cheerleaders.
FINLEY: That was… surprisingly fun.
PAYTON: You were a big hit, Finley!
JULIAN: All the signs, face paint, and cheers… I didn’t expect everyone to be so excited about the game! You were right, Payton. The players are pumped up… and so are all the fans. The parade really helped.
PAYTON: Exactly. We just made sure that your players really feel like you have the home field advantage!
ADDISON: Now we’ve just got to win the game.
JULIAN: All right! Addison, it’s game time. Let’s get the starters ready. We should make sure our most experienced players are out there.
[ Julian, A Level 5+ Classmate, A Level 3+ Jock (Dale, Cameron) | 1h | 3850xp, 1500c ]
ADDISON: This is it! Time for the game!
JULIAN: Could you help me out, Addison? The players are waiting in the locker room and… I’ve never been good at speeches…
ADDISON: You want me to give the pep talk to the football team before the game?
JULIAN: Yeah. You’re good with words. And you’ve been at this school from the very start. Everyone here looks up to you.
ADDISON: I’ll… I’ll do my best.
And so…
JULIAN: Hey! Everyone! Listen up!
ADDISON: Okay, team! Tonight, we’re standing on the edge of greatness. If we beat Hearst High, we’ll be making a statement. We’re playing for our reputation. We’re playing for our school! Think of this game as…
JULIAN: Uh, like what? Oh, wait, I get it! Silence. It’s a blank slate.
ADDISON: Uh, yeah! That’s what I meant. It’s a blank slate, and we’re about to write history!
JULIAN: Hoorah!
ADDISON: Now, get out there and just remember… Everyone’s a winner!
JULIAN: Everyone’s a winner?
ADDISON: Yeah, just because there’s a game and a score doesn’t mean we’re not all winners for just being a part of this!
DALE: Everyone’s a winner… just give it a chance…
JULIAN: Everyone’s a winner. Well, I guess I do feel weirdly good about myself… Everyone’s a winner!
ADDISON: Now, let’s see Hearst High TRY to stop us!
The two teams take the field…
MAX: Let’s see what you’ve got.
JULIAN: It’s on.
PAYTON: Ohmigosh! Time’s almost up, and we’re down by four!
AUTUMN: It’s okay. We’ve got one last shot to score a touchdown. If we make it, we’ll win!
JULIAN: Okay, team. This is it. Everything comes down to this last play. Get into position…
The teams line up, facing off for the final play…
MAX: You’re not getting past us.
JULIAN: Shut up and play.
Cameron throws the ball… and Dale catches it, just ten yards from the end zone!
DALE: I got it! I got it!
CAMERON: Now run!
DALE: Oh, right!
JULIAN: Go, Dale!
MAX: Not so fast!
Max tackles Dale as Dale tosses the ball back to Cameron!
DALE: Oof!
CAMERON: Whoa!
JULIAN: Go, go, go!
Cameron sprints to the end zone!
CAMERON: YES!
JULIAN: That’s the game! We did it!
MAX: This isn’t happening. This is NOT HAPPENING!
JULIAN: Believe it, Max. We just won!
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