Wellcome

You feel a stinging smack on your hand, and look up. It's Mrs. Debbie, of course. You feel sheepish for having laughed so loudly. Mrs. Debbie hates when any of the young ladies "make outdoors voices" at dinner. She doesn't think it's good for digestion.\n\nMrs. Debbie says, "I see you chatting with your friends over here Lorine, don't be mistaken." She walks away, shaking her head.\n\n[[You turn back to Mary, but she's reading a note, presumably from the girl behind her in line|junct_2]]

"I found it... when Mrs. Debbie needed a few extra hands for groceries, I went. It was rolling around by the fruits. Some kid probably dropped it..."\n\nLiz looks up and straight ahead, suddenly entranced by the opposite wall.\n\n[["...uhh... Liz? What are you staring at?"|listen_2_2]]

Mary flares her nose and rubs her forehead. "Sorry for being so pushy Lorine, I just skipped breakfast this morning, so I really need to eat now..."\n\nMary has never been very nice to you, but you tell her it's ok and ask her why she skipped breakfast. She says, "it was all sugary pastries. I don't want to get fat." \n\n[[You look at Mary, and let out a surprised laugh, "I never even thought about that... they taste so good, I don't know how you could see them and not be tempted."|listen_2_4]]

Liz smirks, bounces the ball another time, catches it and lets the table cloth fall. \n\n"Say, do you think I could flick this thing at that wall and bounce it back without Mrs. Debbie noticing?" Liz taps you on the leg excitedly, looking at the wall past Mrs. Debbie. \n\nBefore you can say anything, Mary, the girl behind you in line, sits on the edge of your seat and pushes you into Liz, whispering "Lorine, pay attention, move down so I can sit."\n\n[[Liz groans and slides down, and you apologize to Mary as you follow suit.|listen_2_3]]

Mary looks at you straight in the eyes and says, "No, because I'm polite." She especially emphasized the "polite," you notice.\n\nPenny, looking quite flushed, walks up to you and places a bowl of soup on the table. She leans in and whispers, "Lorine, are periods supposed to feel like someone's stuck a fork in your stomach?" You nod your head gravely, and she sighs, relieved, and says, "Oh good, the other girls were teasing me like... I had a disease. Thanks."\n\n[[Penny walks away and you stir your soup, and turn to Liz to say, "Have you gotten your period yet?"|junct_3]]

Mary turns to you and jabs her finger into your stomach. You can feel her finger pressing into it, hard, and you find yourself sucking in your stomach as much as possible. You don't want Mary to think you're fat, because she might start making fun of you...\n\nMary crosses her arms over her chest and grins at you, saying "Oh, Lorine, you definitely have the puffiest belly." She walks away, triumphant. \n\n[[Why is she so happy?|end_3]]

Mrs. Debbie knocks on the end of the table and starts ushering girls out the door. She says, "Time for fresh air before bed! Everyone outside!" She pats Penny on the back and gestures towards the bowls left on the table. Penny starts to collect them, looking slightly forlorn as girls file out the door.\n\nAs you get up and start to walk out, Mary and the girls she was talking to at dinner run up beside you and Liz. Mary pinches Liz's arm and says, "Wow, your muscles are way harder than mine." Liz laughs, and Mary pokes her in the belly and says, "you've got abs too, geez." \n\nAs your group gets closer to the door, Mary is going around poking everyone in the belly. She says, "Who's got the biggest belly, I wonder?" \n\n[[You puff your belly out again and feel it, squishing it with your fingers.|end_2]]

Liz says, "Haha, I remember when we used to read together after dinner... but I was actually just faking it! I'm sorry! I was just sitting there with the book and turning the pages sometimes..." Liz trails of guiltily, giggling a little bit. Mary had been listening in on your conversation and says, "Wow, Liz... no wonder your grades are so bad." Mary smirks and Liz sticks her tongue out and squints.\n\nYou start laughing, trying to hold it back before Mrs. Debbie hears you. [["Liz!!!! That is the silliest thing I ever heard! Woww!!!!!" you say.|junct_4]]

Liz leans on your shoulder and whispers, "It's nice that you like to read! I don't mind if you do, but it would be fun to run around together. You're my best friend!"\n\nYou smile because Liz says that to everyone. Well, to you and Mary at least. You say, [["You're my best friend too! I like playing together. We used to read outside together all the time though! Do you just not like doing that anymore?"|listen_4_4]]

Fortunately, Penny, the girl on serving duty, dropped another cup on the floor, so Mrs. Debbie missed Liz and Mary fighting. You pushed them away, and they stopped, both giggling stupidly. Liz shakes her head and says, "Oh Mary, I'm way stronger than you," and Mary rolls her eyes. She says, "at least my shoulders are tiny. You have man shoulders, Liz." \n\n[[You look down and feel your own shoulders, wondering if yours are big or small. You think you have small shoulders.|listen_3_2]]

Liz apparently missed everything Mary had just said, because she'd finally gotten her soup and was slurping it up, ignoring both you and Mary.\n\nMary sighs and says, "Wow, slurping, how polite" and you laugh and ask Mary.\n\n[["Mary, what's the big deal? She's just eating.|listen_3_3]]

"It's not polite to slurp," says Mary, flatly. You look back at Liz as she continues to slurp up her soup. You don't think it's a big deal to slurp. Although, one time Mrs. Debbie yelled at you for saying that you liked "sucking on oranges." She said "sucking" was an inappropriate word, and an inappropriate thing to do. \n\n[["Mary," you say, "did Mrs. Debbie ever yell at your for slurping or sucking on food?"|listen_3_4]]

<i><h1>Table Talk</h1></i>\nA game by <a href="ninasays.so" target=0>Nina Freeman</a>.\n\n[[Click here to play.|1]]\n\n<i>Table Talk</i> was commissioned by:\n<a href="http://wellcomecollection.org/" target=0>[img[wellcomelogo]]</a>

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Liz giggles and whispers, "Sure--I was wondering though, are you trying to eat extra so that your boobs will get bigger?"\n\nYou feel your stomach drop and you start to blush. Why would you be trying to get bigger boobs? Why would you ever want to gain weight? A little soup won't make you gain weight... you think. \n\n[["I don't want to gain weight if that's what you're asking," you whisper to Liz.|listen_5_3]]

"Of course," says Liz, "your boobs are already really big, so you probably don't care about making them bigger." Liz giggles again and quickly swaps your bowl with hers while Mrs. Debbie isn't looking. \n\n[[You put your hand on your chest and feel slightly nervous, "My boobs aren't that big, are they?"|listen_5_4]]

Mrs. Debbie walks by you swiftly, towards a pair of girls on the other end of the table. She quickly slides the bowls away from the two girls and says, "No sharing. It spreads germs, and you're overeating. Your leftovers can be brought to the washbin."\n\nYou feel bad for the two girls who clearly hadn't figured out that they should just swap bowls so that Mrs. Debbie won't catch them sharing food. That's what you and Liz do. You usually finish off Liz's leftovers. \n\n[["Hey Liz, wanna swap bowls?" you ask|listen_5_2]]\n<<set $talk += 1>>

You turn to Mary and ask, "Is it true that your boobs will get bigger if you gain weight?"\n\nMary shrugs and says, "My boobs never get bigger, even if I eat a lot of sweets. It sucks. I have no boobs."\n\n[["Why do you want big boobs?" you ask Mary without really thinking it through. You hear yourself asking the question, and start to feel pretty embarassed. Mary is going to think you're so stupid.|listen_6_2]]\n\n<<set $talk += 1>>

Of course I stole underwear. It was clean! I returned it right after I changed, and obviously I threw it all back into the dirty laundry bin. If I hadn't, THAT would have been gross. I had to steal a bowl at dinner too, for the turtle. I haven't returned that. Do you think the cook will notice?\n\nLA\n\n[[I doubt it. I steal extra sweets before dinner all the time. No one watches the food in the kitchen when the table's getting set. If they don't notice missing food before dinner, they won't notice an old dish, haha.\n\nLN|junct_1]]

Liz laughs and pokes you in the nipple. You flinch and whisper, "Liz, what the heck, that hurts!" Liz says, "Yeah, I know, haha. Why are you so worried about boobs suddenly? They're just fine. The older girls say that big boobs are good, so I guess that must be true. I don't know."\n\nMary pokes her head past you and says, "Liz, you're so unconcerned with looking pretty. I bet you didn't even ask Mrs. Debbie for a bra yet." Liz shrugs and says, "I don't need one."\n\n[[You look at Mary's chest... but you can't tell if she's wearing a bra. You decide to ask, "Mary, do you have a bra on?"|listen_6_4]]

Mary says, "Well, the older girls all have bigger boobs than me. I want to look mature. I don't like looking like a kid... also, one of the older girls told me that men like big boobs."\n\nYou hadn't ever thought that boys would even notice boobs. They're always covered up by clothes... so why would they care? You're not really sure you understand why Mary cares what the boys think. Notre Dame house is all girls, so why even bother thinking about boys? \n\nMary continues, "I think boobs are pretty..."\n\n[[You turn to Liz and ask, "do you think boobs are pretty?"|listen_6_3]]

Mary says, "Of course I do. I don't want my nipples showing through my dress." You look down at your own chest and... yup, you can see your nipples poking through if you really look closely. You feel very embarassed and fold your arms up around your chest, and sigh. How did you never notice...\n\nLiz pulls on your arm and says, "Lorine, no one cares if your nipples are pokey looking, trust me."\n\n[[You let her pull your arm down, and you say, "Thanks Liz..."|junct_6]]

Don't tell anyone, but I fell into the river! Just like Penny, but without scratching myself on the rocks. I was trying to grab the baby turtle and slipped. I snuck back in through the laundry room and grabbed some dry clothes, instead of facing Mrs. Debbie's wrath... haha.\n\nLA\n\n[[Really?! Did you return the clothes? Did you steal some underwear too, haha. That would actually be pretty gross.\n\nLN|note_1_4]]

Wow! Yes! Penny still has a scar on her knee from that. It's cool. I ran over there alone at sunset yesterday... Mrs. Debbie never checks the bedrooms until at least 9, so she never found out. I caught a baby snapping turtle. It's hidden in a little bowl of water under my bed.\n\nI want to show you when we go to bed!\n\nLA\n\n[[A baby turtle! I can't believe you snuck it in past Mrs. Debbie. She would be SO MAD if she ever found out about how much you sneak out at bedtime, haha. Does the turtle make any sounds? Is it cute? I've always wanted a pet.\n\nLN|note_1_3]]

The girls behind you in line are chattering loudly, finally having noticed that Penny has disappeared. You smile, wondering which unlucky girl who's already finished her meal is going to have to serve soup in her absense. You would hate to do that, because the soup server always goes outside after dinner last, since she has to pick up the dishes.\n\nYou lean over to Liz and whisper, [["I am going to sneak up to my room before I go outside after dinner... wanna come?|listen_4_1]]\n<<set $talk += 1>>

Mary needs to calm down. She tripped over my picnic basket the other day and got a huge grass stain on her skirt. She literally took my muffin and threw it at me before calling me a FAT PIG... and I'm way smaller than her.\n\nLA\n\n[[Haha, I wish I could have seen that. She's always whining about her hair being too greasy, or her hat being too big, or whatever. I'm ALWAYS next to her at dinner and she never stops whining. It's terrible. I'm sorry she called you fat. That's so dumb and wrong.\n\nLN|note_2_3]]

You look at Liz, and she's already got three cookies in her hand and is hiding more in her pockets.\n\nShe says, "Let's save these for later!"\n\n[[You smile, and look over at Mary and the other girls sitting in a circle, chatting and munching on cookies. Even Mary is eating a cookie.|end]]

Liz hands you a cookie, and you take a huge bite of it. You turn to Liz with your mouth full and say, \n\n[["Mary is so mean, isn't she!"|end_text]]

"Lorine!" whispers Liz, practically hissing. You turn around with an eyebrow arched.\n\n[["Liz, Mrs. Debbie will hear you. You don't want to serve everyone dinner like Penny over there, do you?" you say.|listen_1_2]]\n<<set $talk += 1>>

Liz pulls the table cloth up, revealing the wooden floor panels, freshly swept. She flicks her wrist, letting the ball bounce sharply off the floor with the tiniest thud, catching it cleanly as it hits her palm on the way up. \n\n[[You tug on her skirt, asking her, "Where did you get that bouncy ball?"|listen_2_1]]\n\n<<set $talk += 1>>

Liz flexes her arm and whispers, "I can't wait to get outside after dinner. All I want to do is throw rocks at like... literally anything. I hate dinner and I hate Mrs. Debbie's 'indoor voice' time."\n\nMary leans past you and squeezes Liz's arm, hard. Liz squeaks and slaps Mary on the arm. Suddenly, they're both pinching and pushing each other, and you're right in the middle, getting pushed back and forth.\n\n[["Stop, stop--" you hiss, as Mrs. Debbie turns around.|listen_3_1]]\n<<set $talk += 1>>

CHUNKS????????????\n\nLA\n\n[[I know... don't worry though, you'll be fine. It always ends in like 5 days or something. Do you think we should tell Penny that she's got a stain on her butt...\n\nLN|note_3_4]]

I still haven't gotten mine. Is it gross? Is it like, a blood fountain?\n\nLA\n\n[[Wow, haha, Liz... it's not like a blood fountain. It does suck and can get everywhere if you're not careful... but it just kinda drips out. Sometimes gross chunks come out. Hahaha\n\nLN|note_3_3]]

OH MY GOD. LORINE. Look at Penny when she walks by again... she's leaking blood onto her dress!!!!! Because, period... Haha\n\nLA\n\n[[Liz! That's mean. It's not funny, she only just got hers for the first time today. That happened to me too, IN CLASS, and it was very embarassing. Mary and Ali had to help me clean the seat before anyone noticed the blood.\n\nLN|note_3_2]]

Fortunately, Penny approaches with your and Liz's bowls of soup. She sets them down carefully... almost too carefully. She looks pretty pale. When she sets the bowl down, you can see her hands shaking slightly.\n\n[[You whisper, "Penny...I'm sorry but, you have a stain... on your dress... from your period, you know?" and before you can even finish your sentence, she's sprinted out of the room.|junct_3]]

You stand idly on a step, leaning back onto the handrail, staring at the table lamp. The light leaves purple trails when you blink away, looking down at your friend, Liz.\n\nLiz and you have been together here, in Notre Dame house, for as long as you can remember. She's probably your best friend. You see her looking back over her shoulder. She looks solemn, as she always does when she's not causing a ruckus on the lawn. She tries saying something to a girl next to you, Mary, but Mrs. Debbie hears her and gives her a firm slap on the hand. We are supposed to have "quiet time" at dinner.\n\nMrs. Debbie turns right around and walks to the opposite end of the room. She starts scolding your friend Penny for breaking a teacup. Poor Penny, she didn't get much sleep last night. She just got her period for the first time... and no one warned her there would be blood! \n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_1]]\n\n<<loopsound "YACHT_-_10_-_Shangri-La_instrumental.mp3" >>

Penny carries out a platter of bread and butter, and starts to pass it down to the rest of the table. Mary leans towards you and whispers, "I hate bread."\n\nYou lean away from her, and furrow your eyebrows. You turn to her and say, "Mary, how could you hate bread? Bread and butter taste lovely." Mary sighs and says, "Yeah, if you enjoy going for a few laps around the yard after."\n\n[[You look over at her and say, "What? Why laps?". She laughs at you and turns back to the girl behind her.|note_2_4]]

Don't be so scared of Mrs. Debbie! The worst she'll do is smack you on the hand. She's soft behind those glares. Still annoying though. Do you think I could bounce this ball off the wall behind her without her noticing?? Hahaha\n\nLA\n\n[[Wow, if you got caught though! She might take away the ball. It looks fun, I hope you don't lose it. If you throw it, make sure it hits Mary in the face... she practically pushed me over to claim her seat.\n\nLN|note_2_2]]

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

Mrs. Debbie approaches and watches as Mary and the girl on her other side chat and giggle. Mrs. Debbie takes another step closer, and they fail to notice. She starts tapping her foot aggressively, and Mary jumps at the sound, turning back around and looking down at her lap. Mrs. Debbie walks away. \n\nYou turn to Liz and whisper, "Liz, do you like bread?" She snorts and claps a hand over her mouth. "Lorine, you must be joking."\n\n[[You smile awkwardly and say, "I guess..."|junct_2]]

You're still pretty hungry, so you wonder if Liz wants to share the rest of your soup. You decide that you'll just ask her. She never finishes her dinner.\n\n[[I'll have the rest of your soup if you don't want it!\n\nLN|note_5_2]]\n<<set $note += 1>>

Table Talk

I honestly don't mind sharing, I just don't want you to start crying about being fat again. Don't cry about stupid things.\n\nLA\n\n[[I guess so. Sorry, I was just feeling really sad. I always get so sad at night for some reason. I'll just have a little bit of your soup. I didn't eat much today.\n\nLN|note_5_4]]

Penny walks back into the room, her cheeks flushed and her eyes slightly puffy. You think she resembles a small doll, or a sad puppy... she had changed into a new dress. You feel bad for her... getting a blood stain from your period is not fun. It's so sad, and she looks so small, pulling her shoulders in and bowing her head. You watch her slowly serving soup, and write a note to Liz.\n\n[[Liz, do you think Penny is cute?\n\nLN|note_4_1]]\n<<set $note += 1>>

Mrs. Debbie turns around and shoots a mean glare at Liz.\n\nYou write a little note that says,\n\n[[What a drag. We might as well just sit here in silence. Even when we use our indoor voices, she thinks we're being too loud. \n\nLN|note_3_1]]\n<<set $note += 1>>

You pull a stubby pencil and a napkin out of your pocket when suddenly Mary, the girl behind you in line, practically sits on your lap. She says, "Lorine, move over, there's room and I want to sit." You poke Liz's arm, she slides down, and you follow. You smooth the napkin out on the bench and write,\n\n[[I'm afraid Mrs. Debbie will hear us if we talk, and I assume you don't want her noticing that little ball you've got there.\n\nLN|note_2_1]]\n<<set $note += 1>>

[[Liz!\n\nI miss sitting by Kimball Brook with you. I wish Mary hadn't been such an idiot and pushed Penny into the water last month... I'm not sure Mrs. Debbie will ever let us go to the brook after that mess.\n\nLN|note_1_2]]\n\n<<set $note += 1>>\n

Penny looks kind of like a little kitten, which is cute I guess. She's just so tiny. I think Mary is prettier though. Even though she's mean.\n\nLA\n\n[[Mary is pretty. I think Penny is prettier though. I wish I was small and dainty like her. \n\nLN|note_4_2]]

You look just fine. You've got big baby eyes. They're not totally bug like, they're nice. My eyes are so boring and I'm always plucking out my eyelashes haha. Oh well.\n\nLA\n\n[[What do you think is pretty about a girl, usually?\n\nLN|note_4_3]]

I guess if I had to say, dark hair and tall... tall girls are pretty. Mary is pretty and she can throw a good punch. So strong arms seem cute. But really... I don't know. I never think about it.\n\nLA\n\n[[I don't think I'm very cute.\n\nLN|note_4_4]]\n

You're cute, stop. \n\nLA\n\n[[I've been feeling bad lately I guess. One of the older girls was telling Penny that she's going to be so pretty when she grows up, and that she's so lucky. No one ever tells me I'm pretty. I have just been wondering why.\n\nLN|junct_4]]

You bite the cookie and chew slowly. It tastes good. You look at Liz, and she's already got three cookies in her hand and is hiding more in her pockets.\n\nShe says, "Let's save these for later!"\n\n[[You smile, and look over at Mary and the other girls sitting in a circle, chatting and munching on cookies. Even Mary is eating a cookie.|end]]

Liz laughs, and covers her mouth quickly... Mrs. Debbie looks towards her and scowls. Liz says, "Lorine, you're such a silly nerd. Let's go on the swingset and then roll down the hill! Reading is boring."\n\nYou sigh, shake your head and say, [["Emma is a really good book! You should read it, honestly! I'll lend it to you when I'm done... I guess I'll just come run around with you today."|listen_4_3]]

[[Why does she care how big your belly is?|end_4]]

You feel Liz grab your hand, and she leads you over to a picnic table where the cook has put some cookies for dessert.\n\n[[Eat a cookie.|end_5_1]]\n[[Don't eat a cookie.|end_5_2]]

"Mrs. Debbie does get pretty mean about that sometimes," says Liz, "She wishes we were all like her, I bet. She never even eats candy. Can you imagine living that way? It sounds terrible."\n\nYou laugh and say, "Wow, I have such a sweet tooth. I think I'd be miserable without any candy. I think it's mean though..." You trail off, and start to suck in air, puffing your belly out, feeling the strap around your waist tighten. \n\nYou turn to Liz and say, [["Whenever Mrs. Debbie or Mary talk about some girls weight. It makes me feel gross, even when they're not talking about me... I saw Mrs. Debbie talking to one of the older girls about how she'd gained weight, and the girl started crying and ran to hide under her bed... Do you think they even realize that they're hurting people's feelings? Why would you want to make someone feel bad like that?|end_1]]

Mrs. Debbie does get pretty mean about that sometimes. She wishes we were all like her, I bet. She never even eats candy. Can you imagine living that way? It sounds terrible. \n\nLA\n\n[[I think it's mean. Whenever Mrs. Debbie or Mary talk about some girls weight, it makes me feel bad! I saw Mrs. Debbie talking to one of the older girls about how she'd gained weight, and the girl started crying and ran to hide under her bed... Do you think they even realize that they're hurting people's feelings? \n\nLN|end_1]]

"Why would you need to sneak upstairs?" asks Liz, "I'm going to sprint for the swingset. I'm going to take two swings... one will be for you!"\n\nYou giggle, Liz is always looking out for you. It makes you happy to have such a good friend. You say, [["Oh thanks! I am going to get Emma... the book. I borrowed it from the library! It's really good. I'm going to read some outside... you should borrow one from the library too, then we could read it together!"|listen_4_2]]

You lean on the table and watch the other girls slurping up their soup. You look back at Mary's unfinished bowl. You look down at your empty bowl. \n\n[[Liz, why does Mary care so much about how much people weigh? She just asked me how much I weigh. I don't get it. \n\nLN|note_7_2]]

Nina Freeman

Mrs. Debbie doesn't like to talk about private stuff. You need to make friends with the older girls. They're the only ones who know anything about anything. They told me about bras. Some of them are even dating. That Janet girl has even had her first KISS, supposedly. That's the rumor.\n\nLA\n\n[[Wow, I didn't hear about that. I guess I don't talk to the older girls very much. You're so confident! I'm way too shy to talk to them, especially about boobs. They'd probably laugh at me for being such a clueless kid. \n\nLN|junct_6]]

[[Should you care?|end_5]]

Mary nudges you again, "You know, if you ask Mrs. Debbie for a bra, she will give you one." You nod... although you had never thought of asking Mrs. Debbie for a bra. You decide to ask Liz if she knew about this bra thing.\n\n[[Do you have a bra? Did you know we can ask Mrs. Debbie for one?\n\nLN|note_6_3]]

I didn't know about that. It makes sense though. Why is Mary bugging you about bras? I tried one on once. Bras suck. They just made running around uncomfortable. I hate feeling all bunched up like that. They're itchy too. \n\nLA\n\n[[I think it would be good for running. Mine always hurt when I run. I think I will ask Mrs. Debbie for one tonight. I can't believe I never thought to ask before. Why doesn't anyone tell me anything!!|note_6_4]]

Mary nudges you and says, "Lorine, your nipples are showing through your dress." You look down at your own chest and... yup, you can see your nipples poking through if you really look closely. You feel very embarassed and fold your arms up around your chest, and sigh. How did you never notice...\n\nYou write a note to Liz.\n\n[[Liz, are my nipples always showing through my dress like this? Why didn't anyone point it out until Mary did just now. Is it always this obvious?\n\nLN|note_6_2]]\n\n<<set $note += 1>>

You lean on the table and watch the other girls slurping up their soup. You look back at Mary's unfinished bowl. You look down at your empty bowl. \n\n[[You turn to Liz and ask, "Why does Mary care so much about how much people weigh? She just asked me how much I weigh. The other day she told me that Penny weighs 96 pounds, and was like, 'wow! I wish I was that skinny.' I don't get it. I know she likes to gossip and stuff but... that seems like something silly to gossip about."|listen_7_2]]

Liz shrugs and says, "Mary told me once that she was a really fat kid and that her friends used to tease her. Maybe she's still sad about that? She's really skinny now though, so I don't know. You're right though, she is always comparing herself to other girls like that."\n\nYou do compare yourself to other girls sometimes... but mostly because you think other girls have prettier faces. You hadn't thought too much about your weight, until Mrs. Debbie started telling to stop over eating. \n\n[[You say to Liz, "Mrs. Debbie does like to go on about over eating and getting fat... so maybe Mary is just copying Mrs. Debbie?"|listen_7_3]]

Weren't you just telling me the other day to not give you my leftovers even if you ask?\n\nLA\n\n[[Yeah that's true. I'm just so hungry! I don't know, I probably shouldn't.\n\nLN|note_5_3]]

<h2>The end.</h2>\n\n~~[[Return to start screen.|Start]]\n\n<i>Table Talk</i> was made by <a href="ninasays.so" target=0>Nina Freeman</a> using <a href="http://twinery.org/" target=0>Twine</a>.\n\nThe background image and inspiration for the game is Frederick Cayley Robinson's painting, "Orphan girls entering the refectory of a hospital." You can view and download that image from the <a href="http://wellcomelibrary.org/player/b16728312#?asi=0&ai=0&z=-0.3547%2C-0.0647%2C1.6165%2C0.7948" target=0>Wellcome Collection</a>.\n\nBackground music, <a href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/YACHT/Shangri-La_Instrumentals/10_Shangri-La" target=0>Shangri-La (instrumental) </a>, by </span> <a rel="cc:attributionURL" property="cc:attributionName" href="http://freemusicarchive.org/music/YACHT/">YACHT</a> / <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/">CC BY-NC-SA 3.0</a></div>\n\nThanks to the Wellcome Collection and Holly Gramazio for their support of this commission.~~\n<<set $talk to 0>>\n<<set $note to 0>>\n

"You have big boobs, everyone knows that. Why do you look so sad? All girls want big boobs, don't they? I don't really care myself, but that's what Mary is always saying." Mary somehow hears Liz whispering her name and turns around. She whispers, "stop gossiping about me" and turns back around, but not before Mrs. Debbie says, "Miss Mary, who is gossiping about what exactly? Hmm?" Mary looks down at her feet and says, "Oh nothing, it was a mistake."\n\n[[You consider it--do you have big boobs? Is that good? You're not sure, so you tell Liz, "I probably don't want big boobs... I can't really decide. I guess maybe it would be nice. Who knows."|junct_5]]\n\n

You should run around the field with me after dinner instead of reading! Then it won't matter how much you eat! You just don't run around enough Lorine! You have really big boobs though, and they'll probably get smaller if you lose weight. That would suck I guess.\n\nLA\n\n[[I hate running. Also, my boobs aren't huge! They're just normal. Why would I care if my boobs are big anyways. I kind of wish they were smaller anyways. They make running really painful.\n\nLN|junct_5]]

Before you can say anything, Liz flicks you on the elbow and says, "Isn't it fun to whisper? I love secrets. Besides, it'll drive Mrs. Debbie wild if we act suspicious." \n\n[[You pat Liz on the head, "Haha, you get bored so easily. What did Mrs. Debbie ever do to you anyways? I mean, she's annoying, but I'd never want to mess with her on purpose, personally."|listen_1_3]]

Liz shrugs, "There's always something. She hates nice things. Remember when we tore the ribbons off those trees they were going to cut down in the field?"\n\nYou do remember. That was when you and Liz were probably ten years old... you decided to start an impromptu "preserve nature" club, basically because your favorite tree with the swingset got cut down and replaced with some building. You figured out that the trees would get cut down after someone put a ribbon on them. So, you both decided to go outside after dinner every day and tear the ribbons off the trees while no one was looking.\n\n[[You nod and say, "yeah, that was pretty fun."|listen_1_4]]

Liz whispers, "I saw her tying them back on the day before they cut those trees down. She hates tre--"\n\n"Hey!" says Mary, who's standing behind you. She tugs on your hat. "Move up."\n\nMrs. Debbie whips around, shooting a stern look at Mary. Mary bows her head, and gestures towards the open seat.\n\n[[Liz slides down and you sit next to her on the bench.|junct_1]]

Liz slips a hand into her pocket and pulls out a small rubber ball. It's cream colored, and scuffed like it'd been thrown onto the pavement all day. Liz rolls it around between her palms.\n\n<<if $talk >= 1>>\n"Like I was saying, she hates trees," mutters Liz.\n\nYou're worried... if you say something out loud again Mrs. Debbie might make you serve soup like Penny. You really don't want to do that... everyone always makes fun of the dinner dish girl. \n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_2]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_2]] \n<<else>>\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_2]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_2]] \n<<endif>>

Liz looks straight ahead and murmurs, "Now...". She brings her hand up beside her right cheek and flicks her wrist slightly towards the floor, letting the ball loose. It bounces off the floor and hits the back wall, soaring back towards you and Liz. It doesn't quite make the table top, but hits the floor, bouncing underneath the table, right near Liz's feet, thankfully. Mrs. Debbie doesn't see a thing. \n\n<<if $talk >= 2>>\n<<set $talk to 0>>\nYou're too nervous to say anything out loud again, even if it's a whisper. You're sure Mrs. Debbie will catch you. \n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_3]]\n<<else>>\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_3]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_3]]\n<<endif>>

Liz just shakes her head, and sips at her soup. You look down at your soup and take a sip, and then a bite. Your period ended recently, which you're thankful for. You period always hurts, a lot. So much that you have to stay in bed all day, like you have a fever. It also makes your stomach look ten times bigger... periods are the worst, you think to yourself.\n\n<<if $talk >= 1>>\nYou watch Penny walk into the kitchen, and Mrs. Debbie turns towards you. She walks over to your end of the table, and starts yelling at some girls who were sitting on the steps nearby. She might hear you if you whisper to Liz now...\n \n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_4]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_4]]\n<<else>>\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_4]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_4]]\n<<endif>>

Liz shifts down the bench and you follow suit, carrying your empty bowl of soup. Mary follows, and pokes you in the ribs, saying, "Wow Lorine, you ate that soup so fast."\n\nYou shrug and tell her that you were hungry. You turn to Liz and notice that she hasn't finished her soup, and is swirling around some of the noodles with her spoon. She's probably anxious to get outside. \n\n<<if $talk >= 1>>\nYou can barely breathe, having laughed so much at Liz. Mrs. Debbie walks over to you and hisses in your ear, "Miss Lorine, this isn't a circus. Quiet down."\n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_5_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_5_1]]\n<<else>>\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_5_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_5_1]]\n<<endif>>

You have been eating more than usual, and running around less and less after dinner. Mrs. Debbie has been pulling you aside, telling you to watch what you're eating. It makes you feel really bad. You had never worried about how you looked before now, but once you got your period, and once you started realizing you could get snacks from the kitchen... Mrs. Debbie has been telling you to watch your weight. It scares you. \n\n<<if $talk >= 2>>\n<<set $talk to 0>>\nMrs. Debbie is standing beside Mary, ordering Penny around and generally being intimidating. You are definitely not wanting to attract her attention right now, especially after she's been yelling at Mary. \n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_6_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_6_1]]\n<<else>>\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_6_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_6_1]]\n<<endif>>

<<if $talk >= 1>>\nMary looks at you intently and asks, "Lorine, how much do you weight?"\n\nYou look back at her, perplexed. Why does Mary care about how much you weigh? And why does that question make you feel so... bad. You don't even know how much you weight. The doctor always weighs you, but you never really paid attention. You tell Mary, "I don't know."\n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_7_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_7_1]]\n<<else>>\nMary is furtively whispering to some girls on her other side. She pinches the skin below the chin of the girl next to her and the girl laughs. She turns to look at you intently and asks, "Lorine, how much do you weigh?"\n\nYou look back at her, perplexed. Why does Mary care about how much you weigh? And why does that question make you feel so... bad. You don't even know how much you weight. The doctor always weighs you, but you never really paid attention. You tell Mary, "I don't know."\n\n[[Pass a note to Liz.|note_7_1]]\n[[Talk to Liz.|listen_7_1]]\n<<endif>>

Mary told me once that she was a really fat kid and that her friends used to tease her. Maybe she's still sad about that? She's really skinny now though, so I don't know.\n\nLA \n\n[[Mrs. Debbie does like to go on about over eating and getting fat... so maybe Mary is just copying Mrs. Debbie?\n\nLN|note_7_3]]