The Stanley Parable

The Narrator:
This is the story of a man named Stanley.

'Eight' voice:
Eight.

The Narrator:
Stanley was so bad at following directions; it's incredible he wasn't fired years ago.

[regular first lines during gameplay]

The Narrator:
All of his co-workers were gone. What could it mean? Stanley decided to go to the meeting room; perhaps he had simply missed a memo.

[if you decide to unplug the phone]

The Narrator:
As Stanley picked up the phone, a white light engulfed him, filling him not just with radiance, but with hope. Hope for a life reunited once- Wait... oh goodness... Stanley, did you just unplug the phone? No, that wasn't supposed to be a choice; how did you do that? You actually... chose incorrectly? I didn't even know that was possible. Let me double check...

[sound of papers rustling]

The Narrator:
No, it's definitely here, clear as day. Stanley picks up the phone, he's taken to his apartment, where he finds his wife, and the two pledge themselves to one another. Music comes in, fade to white, roll credits. Not picking up the phone is actually somehow an incorrect course of action. How is that even possible? None of these decisions were supposed to mean anything! I don't understand. How on earth are you making meaningful choices? What, did you- Wait a second, did I just see... no, that's not possible. I can't believe it. How had I not noticed it sooner? You're not Stanley. You're a real person. *sigh* I can't believe I was so mistaken. This is why you've been able to make correct and incorrect choices! And to think I've been letting you run around in this game for so long. If you'd made any more wrong choices, you might have negated it entirely! It's as though you've completely ignored even the most basic safety protocol for real world decision-making, or did you not grasp the severity of the situation? Well, I won't have that kind of risk on my watch. I'm going to stop the game for a moment so we can educate you properly on safe decision-making in the real world. Please observe this helpful instructional video.

Choice Video Narrator:
If you find yourself speaking with a person who does not sense, in all likelihood, that person is not real. Allow the person to finish their thought, then provide an excuse why you cannot continue talking. Turn to a partner and practice saying, "My goodness! Is it 4:30? I am supposed to be having a back, sack, and crack!"

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