The view from halfway down

You see yourself standing outside of a house with a 9 year old Sarah Lynn. Everything around you is somehow both familiar and not. You've decided to bring flowers for your mom, well a house plant really. What flowers do you bring? [[Hydrengia]] [[Roses]] [[Crysanthemums->XCrysanthemumsX]]

Welcome to "The View from Halfway Down". This is a game based on the episode of the same name from the show Bojack Horseman. There are no right or wrong answers, just do what you would do. Are you ready? TW: Suicide, Death [[Yes->Bojack and Sarah Lynn enter]]

You knock at the door and your mother answers. You say “Thanks for having me, mom”. Your mom replies “Well you are the guest of honor”. She then announces your presence to the rest of the party guests. You try to offer the flowers to your mom, but she is unimpressed, sarcastically saying “Oh, dirt for inside, goody” [[Walk in ->The bird]]

As you walk further into the house you notice an absurd scene. Herb (your former best friend who you stabbed in the back), Sarah Lynn (who has mysteriously gotten older), corduroy Jackson Jackson(a former co-star on the Secretariet movie, who you found dead in his trailer), and cracker jack (the uncle you never met because he died in WWII) are trying to capture a bird that has entered through the window. Your mom is informed by Zach Braff, her butler, that she has a phone call waiting in the kitchen for her. You are enlisted to help get the bird out of the house, do you use: a fireplace poker or a newspaper? [[Fireplace Poker]] [[Newspaper->XNewspaperX]]

Everyone cheers as you successfully shoo the bird out the kitchen window. "Bojack Bullied a bird, bully for him" your mom exclaims sarcastically. [[Dinner]]

You fail to get the bird out of the house, however, Sarah Lynn joins in with the fireplace poker and saves the day! [[dinner]]

Time to eat. You enter the dining room. You notice the menu tonight is peculiar. Sarah Lynn (Now a teenager) is served fast food. The last meal you two ate together on your bender. Herb is served peanuts, the same peanuts that killed him when he crashed his car into a delivery truck. Courderoy Jackson Jackson is served a lemon wedge. The lemon wedge that was supposed to save him from dying from... Your mom is served the same food she ate in the retirement home she died in. Cracker Jack is eating war rations from WWII where he died in combat. Zach Braff, who was canabalized during Mr. Peanut Butter's fundraiser, serves you water and pills. [[Best part Worst Part]]

The group begins to play a game called Best Part Worst Part. Everyone around the table shares the best memory from their life and the worst memory from their life. You look up and see a dark black gooey stain on the ceiling above you. No one else seems to notice or care. Then all the sudden... DROP A drop falls on you. It feels like water but thicker, heavier. No one reacts. You try to refocus your attention on the conversation until DROP Another one hits you. Suddenly you're pulled back into the conversation as Courderoy Jackson Jackson asks you to share your best part worst part. Your brain feels fuzzy. You faintly remember the terrible meeting you had with Angela, your former boss, just before this. What few details you remember make up the answer to your worst part. You nervously reach for the bottle of water infront of you. Do you [[Drink it]] [[Don't drink it]]

You cough in disgust. It tastes like chlorine. You're confused but decide not to drink anymore water. The conversation has deviated to sacrifice. Your mother brings up how great CrackerJack was for serving in the war, despite it killing him. Sarah Lynn (now a young adult) talks about how she sacrificed so much being a child star. Your mother, unimpressed, tells Sarah Lynn she didn't make any sacrifices, in fact, she brings up how Sarah Lynn died in a "hedonistic bender". Sarah Lynn defends herself, saying it wasn't about her death, but her life. She gave up her life to entertain people. DRIP Sarah Lynn then goes on the share her worst part best part. Her worst part was her 2007 sexually confident virgin world tour where her manager leaked her nudes to increase interest in the tourand her mother micro managed her diet so a young teenage Sarah Lynn would remain skinny and sexy. DRIP Courderoy Jackson Jackson chimes in, claiming if Sarah Lynn enjoyed the rush she got from performing, then she didn't sacrifice because it wasn't selfless. That for something to be a sacrifice it must be selfless. DRIP The dripping is getting annoying. Do you [[Say something]] [[Ignore it]]

The conversation has deviated to sacrifice. Your mother brings up how great CrackerJack was for serving in the war, despite it killing him. Sarah Lynn (now a young adult) talks about how she sacrificed so much being a child star. Your mother, unimpressed, tells Sarah Lynn she didn't make any sacrifices, in fact, she brings up how Sarah Lynn died in a "hedonistic bender". Sarah Lynn defends herself, saying it wasn't about her death, but her life. She gave up her life to entertain people. DRIP Sarah Lynn then goes on the share her worst part best part. Her worst part was her 2007 sexually confident virgin world tour where her manager leaked her nudes to increase interest in the tourand her mother micro managed her diet so a young teenage Sarah Lynn would remain skinny and sexy. DRIP Courderoy Jackson Jackson chimes in, claiming if Sarah Lynn enjoyed the rush she got from performing, then she didn't sacrifice because it wasn't selfless. That for something to be a sacrifice it must be selfless. DRIP The dripping is getting annoying. Do you [[Say something]] [[Ignore it]]

You fail to get the bird out of the house, however, Sarah Lynn joins in with the fireplace poker and saves the day! [[Dinner->dinner]]

Zach Braff hands you a bucket to catch the drips before they hit you. Sarah Lynn asks Herb if he agrees with Courderoy Jackson Jackson. Herb talks about how he used to take pride in the work he did for the show, but once he was fired, he realized he could be free and be himself. He talks about how much more fulfilling and joyful his philanthropic work was. Of course, Courderoy Jackson Jackson disagrees, claiming that because Herb felt joy from his philanthropy, that it wasn't selfless, and therefore, wasn't "good". Herb, annoyed, asks why it matters if he enjoyed it or not as long as he was helping people. Courderoy Jackson Jackson says that his endless seeking for pleasure is what killed him. You decide to chime in and share that finding Courderoy Jackson Jackson dead in his trailer was your worst part. [[Drip]]

Your dad has now arrived. Well, not really your dad. It's Secretariat, someone who was the closest you had to a father figure in your life, but he behaves and sounds like your real father. “Im sorry I was late, I was running” “while you were running I was running myself ragged getting dinner on the table” “Now Im running out of patience for you running your mouth” “Well Im running out the clock until we both… well here we [[are]]”

Zach Braff serves your dad a hospital meal. One he most likely ate while being treated (unsuccessfully) for his gunshot wound he obtained in a duel. Herb goes on to share his best part: seeing Machu Picchu. You look over your plate of pills. You consider trying them. As you lift a spoon full of pills to your mouth, you begin to cough, like theres something in your throat. The kind of cough you get when you accidentally swallow pool water… Your father, now speaking as Secretariat, now describes his best part worst part, worst part was getting banned from racing, best part was jumping off the bridge. Why? Because he got to go on his own terms. You cant stop coughing. You try a sip of water, but it only worsens it. All the sudden, you cant help it, you cough until throw up, but its black goo. The same black goo that’s been dripping on you. Everyone laughs. You, both nervous and relieved at this response, say “it must have been from swimming earlier” [[Now it's your turn]]

You share your best part: the teaching job you recently took at a University. You like being able to help young hopeful actors find their talent. “Ready to start the show?” Everyone gets up from the table heading towards the door to go to the show. You stay behind. This is the part where you wake up. Everytime you dream this, you wake up here. Sarah lynn asks if youre coming. You tell her no, that after everyone leaves you wake up. Sarah lynn is confused but doesn’t care enough to argue. As always, Zach Braff says "Pardon my reach" to clear your plate and you... are still [[here]]?

You can hear the sounds of the show starting. Somethings wrong. Why aren’t you waking up? You walk through the door in time to hear herb introducing the show: “Tonights [[show]] is in honor of bojack horseman”

You can hear the sounds of the show starting. Somethings wrong. Why aren’t you waking up? You walk through the door in time to hear herb introducing the show: “Tonights [[show->Show]] is in honor of bojack horseman”

Herb is the MC for the night. He’s wearing a bright sparkly suit, standing on a stage that resembles the one from the Laugh Shack, the place you two met while performing stand up. “Tonight’s opener needs no introduction, but I’m going to give her one anyway. Ladies and Gentlemen, the one, the only, Sarah Lynn” She sings a song that is eerily familiar; one that you know you’ve heard before, but where? Was it the song that Gina sang you in a drug induced psychotic episode? Or perhaps it resembles advice you gave to her when she was just a kid acting on Horsin’ Around. Who knows, but you watch in horror, reminded of the pain and suffering she endured her whole life, and how you did nothing but add to that pain. Suddenly, the music stops and she’s standing in front of an open doorframe. Theres nothing on the other side but complete darkness. The words she’s singing just echo. “Don’t stop dancing… [[Don’t stop dancing]]...”

Without hesitation she jumps in. You’re horrified at what you’ve witnessed, but everyone else is clapping and cheering like they’ve just watched a scene in a play. Herb wastes no time in introducing the next act, Corduroy Jackson Jackson. He performs an interpretive aerial routine, which is ironic because he died of… You use this time to ask Herb where Sarah Lynn went. Where the door leads to. Herb dismisses your concerns, telling you to sit down and enjoy the show. You keep asking but Herb just tells you you’ll get your turn. Corduroy Jackson Jackson propels himself through the door, ending his performance. As Herb is introducing Zach Braff’s performance, Secretariat asks if you want to grab a smoke outside, do you join him? [[Yes]] [[No]]

You go outside and you’re standing on a bridge looking at the moon. The bridge resembles the one Secretariat jumped off of. Secretariat, annoyed, starts ranting about Herb claiming he’s at peace. He doesn’t believe you can achieve peace, no matter how many achievements, no matter how fulfilled, he doesn’t think its possible. He wonders what’s the point, we all end up dead the same. You decide to ask him what he would do differently if he could go back. He says he wouldn’t have cared as much. You ask what about. He answers as your dad, “I wouldn’t have cared as much. I want you to know how much he cared about you” “You never cared, you cared about your book and getting drunk, but that’s not caring” “You think I didn’t care because I put up walls, but I did care. I cared so much” “it’s a shame we didn’t get to talk like this in real life, but at least we get to now, before I [[wake up]]”

Zach Braff performs a series of poems while on roller skates. His act is long and boring giving you time to reflect on what could be going on. Where does that door lead to? What does Herb mean by “You’ll get your turn”? Herb cuts off the end of Zach’s performance, pushing him towards the door. Zach Braff begs for more time. He still has so much left he wants to do. But he has no choice. He is forced to [[leave]].

Your dad (Secretariat) laughs, “Wake up? You’re not getting it are you?” He flicks his cigarette over the bridge. You look down and see yourself at the bottom of your pool. You come back inside, now panicked. Zach Braff, still performing, gets cut short, pushed into the door despite his pleas to finish his act. You demand to know what’s going on and how you got here. Herb has no answers. You retrace your steps. You broke into your old house, you stole some pills, then went swimming. But you got out right? You had to. You remember calling Diane. You know you called Diane, so how could you [[drown]]?

Herb now introduces Secretariat. He reads a poem he wrote called [[The View From Halfway Down]].

Herb now introduces Secretariat. He reads a poem he wrote called [[The View From Halfway Down->down]].

Herb now introduces Secretariat. He reads a poem he wrote called [[The View From Halfway Down->from half]].

Herb now introduces Secretariat. He reads a poem he wrote called [[The View From Halfway Down->the view]].

The weak breeze whispers nothing The water screams sublime His feet shift, teeter-totter Deep breath, stand back, it’s time Toes untouch the overpass Soon he’s water bound Eyes locked shut but peek to see The view from halfway down ''The door presents itself. “I’m not done yet” '' A little wind, a summer sun A river rich and regal A flood of fond endorphins Brings a calm that knows no equal You’re flying now You see things much more clear than from the ground It’s all okay, it would be Were you not now halfway down The door once again presents itself, reminding him of what’s to come. Thrash to break from gravity What now could slow the drop All I’d give for toes to touch The safety back at top ''“I’ve changed my mind. I don’t- I’ve changed my mind” Herb comforts him urging him to continue'' But this is it, the deed is done Silence drowns the sound Before I leaped I should’ve seen The view from halfway down ''“NO!”'' I really should’ve thought about The view from halfway down I wish I could’ve known about The view from halfway dow- He falls into the [[door]] before finishing his last line.

You can’t ignore your panic any longer. You desperately look for a way out, but the remaining members insist you need to calm down and just watch the show. Theres nothing you can do. “Has anyone ever come back from this place?” You ask Herb. “Oh Bojack, there is no place. This is just your brain going through what it feels needs to. All you can do is sit back and [[enjoy the show->enjOy]].”

You sit down to watch the next act, your mom and her brother Crackerjack. She performs a ribbon dance while Crackerjack plays “I Will Always Think of You”, the song their mother sang the night she received the news Crackerjack died in the war, on the trumpet. Your mother suspends herself in the air wrapping herself with the ribbon until she is no longer visible. Crackerjack ties himself to the ribbon and jumps the door. A thick gooey black substance like the one that was dripping on you during dinner comes out of the door and envelops your mother till [[there’s nothing]] left.

It's now just you and Herb left. “You ready for the headliner? Please welcome to the stage the star of Horsin’ Around and The Bojack Horseman Show! Philbert! Secretariat! The upcoming Horny Unicorn. Son of Butterscotch and Beatrice! Husband to no one! Father to no one, that we know of! Stand up comedian! Actor! Crippling Alcoholic! A talented charmer! And a Stupid Piece Of Shit. It’s [[Bojack Horseman]]!”

You’re now on stage. You have no performance prepared. You walk over to the door, unable to ignore is overbearing presence. “Is it terrifying?” you ask. “No. I don’t think so. It’s the way it is. Everything must come to an end. The drip finally stops.” Herb puts his hand through the door. It’s not hollow this time, it’s filled with that gooey substance. It drips down his arm. “See you on the other side” you say “Oh Bojack, no, there is no other side. This is it.” Herb gets consumed by the goo and now it is just you, alone. You look at the door. Hopeless you give in letting the goo cover everything around you. You sit there in silence until theres nothing left.

You’re now on stage. You have no performance prepared. You walk over to the door, unable to ignore is overbearing presence. “Is it terrifying?” you ask. “No. I don’t think so. It’s the way it is. Everything must come to an end. The drip finally stops.” Herb puts his hand through the door. It’s not hollow this time, it’s filled with that gooey substance. It drips down his arm. “See you on the other side” you say “Oh Bojack, no, there is no other side. This is it.” Herb gets consumed by the goo and now it is just you, alone. “I-I need to make a [[phone call->phone]]” you say into the mic before running out, the goo chasing after you.

You’re now on stage. You have no performance prepared. You walk over to the door, unable to ignore is overbearing presence. “Is it terrifying?” you ask. “No. I don’t think so. It’s the way it is. Everything must come to an end. The drip finally stops.” Herb puts his hand through the door. It’s not hollow this time, it’s filled with that gooey substance. It drips down his arm. “See you on the other side” you say “Oh Bojack, no, there is no other side. This is it.” Herb gets consumed by the goo and now it is just you, alone. “I-I need to make a [[phone call]]” you say into the mic before running out, the goo chasing after you.

You run back through the house, panicked. You make your way to the kitchen and you grab the phone to call Diane. She picks up, and relieved you talk to her. “Diane, thank god, your going to save me right? You’re coming to save me?” “Bojack? Why did you call me? I live in Chicago now. I can’t save you.” “You never picked up?” “Right” “It went to voicemail” “Yea” “And then, I went back to the [[pool]].”

You walk outside, to the bridge from before “It’s too late Bojack, what’s done is done. There’s nothing I can do, I’m not real. None of this is.” “So what do I do now?” “It doesn't matter” “Well, if it doesn’t matter, can I at least stay on the phone with you at least?” “okay” “How was your day?” “Good. My day was good.” The black goo surrounds you untill theres [[nothing left->left]].

You wake up in a hospital room...