So you like music, kid?

Ah, welcome to your life. You are a young, overly ambitionous 11-year-old looking for a passion... ...just like every other 11-year-old is, right? After trying your hand at various sports, you have come to realize that athletics just aren't for you. Now you're on the hunt for something that will truly pique your interests. [[Go to your living room]]

Junior High! What a place. The food is terrible, the classes make you feel like you're in 4th grade again, and the teachers won't stop going on about how tough 7th grade is going be. It's like these teachers are speaking another language to you. Fractions? Mixed numbers? Pie charts? What does it all mean? Whatever. You have more important things on your mind. [[Look around your homeroom]]

Your classroom is filled with the usual cast of characters you have come to expect as the years go by. You've never really been close to any of them, but you may go over to their house every once in a while to play their Playstation or observe how enarmored your friend's mom gets whenever you come over. Baked goods are almost a given. But still, all of this bores you. You're yearning for something. You can't handle your adolesnce much longer if you don't find something to do. Man, sometimes you feel like you're a 14-year-old trapped in an 11-year-old's body surrounded by toddlers. These people do nothing for me. [[Daydream the class away]]

(transition:"pulse")[Ding, ding, ding, ding ding-] Oh, there's the bell already. More than ever lately, your attention has been drifting. Come to think of it, you really don't feel that well today. [[Go to the nurses office]] [[Tough it out]] [[Just walk home. You only live about 4 blocks down the road.]]

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After spending another night in your bedroom racking your brains trying to figure out what to do with your life, you go downstairs to your living room. Maybe a little bit of healthy conversation with your family will give you inspiration. [[Talk to your Dad]]

Your dad sits on his reclined Lazyboy next to the fireplace. Looking out from over his newspaper, "How's it hanging, Sport? Enjoying the long weekend?" You mumble a reply about how it has just been "okay." "Buddy, listen, my boss just emailed me some great news. He told me his wife went into labor today so he can't make it to the REO Speedwagon concert tomorrow! He sent me two front row tickets to see one of the best bands in the world! What do you say? Will you come with me?" Oh man, your first concert. You're not sure if you're ready. Music is alright, I guess. Some of NSYNC's music is kinda catchy. And whenever your Mom turns on ABBA's greatest hits you can't help but hum along... Should you go? [[Yes]] [[No]]

"You'll go?? YES! YES! We're going to see the NUMBER ONE BAND IN THE WORLD, REO SPEEDWAGON! Good thing he didn't offer me tickets to those posers Styx and Journey. REO are the kings, son. (font:"italic")["♪So if you're tired of the same old story, ooooooooooh turn some pages♪..."] He wanders upstairs as you hear his singing fade. REO Speedwagon? Maybe you've heard some songs from them before. Who knows. You don't know if this will help you find entertainment in your life, but it's a start. [[Go to bed]]

"Oh buddy, well I mean...ah, nevermind..." Looking defeated, your Dad slowly walks upstairs. Your mom emegerges from the kitchen and says "You know, REO Speedwagon means a lot to him. He would love for you to rethink your decision. [[Go talk to your Dad.]] [[No, you're not ready for a concert.]

You crawl into bed thinking about the concert tomorrow. You actually feel a bit nervous. There are going to be thousands of there. That's a lot. You've been to baseball games before, but those were pretty tame. All the adults were drunk and you went into a sugar coma from all of the cotton candy. This will be different. You don't know what to expect. [[Dream]] [[Do some REO speedwagon research]]

You enter a dream. You are placed in the middle of the mob of people. REO Speedwagon is belting out their greatest hits while you nod your head awkwardly. Suddenly, you notice you are alone in this crowd of people. Your Dad is no where to be found. You break down crying. You knew this was a terrible idea to come here. In the middle of your breakdown, a stranger taps you on the shoulder and points to the top of the crowd. You see your dad crowdsurfing shirtless while the crowd pours beer all over him. He notices you and yells "What's up, Sport? Are you enjoying the show?" You are frozen in space. You want to leave immediately. As you try to find the nearest exit, everyone turns in your direction. The lead singer of the band shines a spotlight in your direction as he sings "(font:"italic")[♪"I'll be here when you are ready, to roll with the changes♪..."] [[Awaken]]

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You wake up in a cold sweat. Your dad bursts into your room, dressed head to toe in vintage 80's clothing. He has an REO speedwagon tee under his jean jacket, slightly tighter than usual jeans that go up a little too high on his waist, and a tinkle in his eye that only a man in his late 40's gets after listening to REO Speedwagon's entire catalog of music Your mother walks past your door as she mutters "He has been doing this since 7am..." Your dad walks out of your room as he sings out (font:"italic")["♪My cup is on the table, Our love is spilling♪..."] He walks back downstairs as you try and figure out what to wear.

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