TickledPink walked down the road with her own journal in hand. She was on her way to a local park, where many people enjoyed each other's company. The kids played, couples walked the paths or laid down to enjoy some shade, and parents were given a brief respite. Many times local Wise Guy's would make a deal here or there amongst the park's citizens. Yet, today she would gather people around her for an interesting story time. No kids allowed, of course, this was only for adult ears.

She found the center of the park and clapped her hands loudly for attention, waving the kids to return to their playtime. She motioned for those around to come forward and hear what she had to say. While sitting on the park bench against the fountain, she smiled at those who came to listen to what this crazy lady had to say. Seeing a lady dolled up in bright pink with hair to match was not a normal sight to see.

Good Afternoon! Thank you for entertaining me and coming over to see what I am about to share.

She opened her journal and grinned, her eyes glistening with excitement.

Today, I am here to tell you a story!

The audience groaned and started to walk away. Only a few stood their ground, at least until she perked up and raised her hand.

A story, YOU get to choose the outcome of. You will all tell me what route you want the story to take by my prompts.

Those who started to walk away decided to pause for a moment. Some were deciding if they were still losing interest or if this peaked it.

Don't tell me you don't love feeling like you control someone's fate. Come come! Sit down or stand, but please take a chance on me. TickledPink held her journal up and waited a moment, letting people fully choose what they wanted to do. Once she could tell they were waiting for the story to begin, she smiled and gave a quick cheer.

Okay! Okay! Once upon a time...

There was a boy and a girl, both around the age of twenty-two. They weren't blessed by any means and neither had much to call their own. Edward and Margaret were their names and they both worked in the same factory in town. Factory work was one of the hardest there was, but the poor didn't have much choice in the matter. Having a job was better than no money at all, even if the working conditions were horrendous. The hours were long and both worked the evening shift, which was even worse. 

Edward got this job because his father also worked in the factory. The man had been there for ages and it almost seemed like he was destined to end up there too. Edward hated his life and even though he loved his pa' he wished he had never followed in his footsteps. He had dreams of something more. He was sick of them living in the dump they called home and often found himself daydreaming of a new life. He never understood why his father chose to stay at this factory, the man knew everything about every position as he had worked in almost every station there was. Edward felt like there had to be something better out there, if not for his pa' then for him!

Margaret had no family left, they had passed away from the illnesses that lay in every corner of the places the poor called home. She expected that would be the way of it for her too one day. One rusty cut waiting, water that wasn't clean enough, or the rats in every wall. She hated this place with a passion and was going to take whatever chance she might get to escape this road to hell. Her paychecks were just enough to pay rent and buy enough food to sustain her. She felt like the owners of businesses like this did that on purpose, they took all the profits and threw breadcrumbs to their subjects just to keep them alive. If only she could stick it to the man! A saying she had heard one of the other men say when he too, was complaining about this place.

If only something would happen...they say somethings gotta give one day, right?

TickledPink looked up and could tell she had started off the story well enough. Yet, could she keep them wanting more? 

Alright everyone! Now is when you play your part. Who do you want to choose? Edward or Margaret? I will wait for your answers through the end of July 14th. Don't worry, I'll be fine waiting here that long!

She tapped her bag full of food and a very comfortable sleeping contraption. 

Alfie had been taught how to read by his grandma who unfortunately was dead now, kinda like the rest of his family. But he knew how to read, and so he read the sign stating kids weren't allowed and sure it took him a few times, sounding the letters out before he realized he couldn't go into the party that Mister Spike had invited him to, but it was fine. At least he had clean socks. 

If I had to choose, I'm going with Edward. I as a man who has worked in a factory for years in the past can relate to this brother. I will do my best to guide this fellow in the proper direction so he can better both himself and his family. Can't wait to see how this turns out, I'll be back to check on the 14th :). Thanks for doing this, both a creative and interesting start to a story we will hopefully get to see more of!

#blamespike???????

he is the fat fish skimming all the cream from the top

ideally, i would think these 2 would meet at an unexpected circumstance and elope together to become roadside bandits scavenging transports of their precious stones or fat wads of cash using their wit and guile!!

Meowth stood up from his seat, and cleared his throat, “meow, meow, meowwwwww Edward, meow, meow meow Margret.” Proud of himself. He was sure he had made his point clearly enough.

Sao was sitting toward the back of the crowd, trying to remain inconspicuous, as much as an octopus could. The tentacles tended to cause him to stick out in a crowd like a sore thumb. He decided to slither a little closer so the one in pink could hear him. 
 

I think I’m more interested in the story of Margaret. I’m a fan of sticking it to the man. 

TickledPink stirred as she noticed a small crowd had come back to hear the rest. She tallied the responses and the letter she had received. Then motioning for people to sit or stand so all everyone could listen she informed them of the results.

Hello! Thank you for coming back to see what the next tide brought in! With the results I have received we will be moving forward with Margaret! Thank you for participating for those who did.

She smiled and opened her journal to continue the story.

The bell rung, signaling it was time to start work. For Margaret, that bell was one of the worst sounds she had ever heard. Every day was the same thing all over again. She had thought about maybe becoming a typist, but she had heard that wouldn't be much better. She was too rough around the edges for most of the jobs women could take. At this point, she was accepting that this was the way of things and only people who got lucky could get anywhere fast.

Upon reaching her station to begin the day she noticed the person who worked last night left it a mess. Margaret grumbled, "Idiots," before she began to pick everything up and put it back where it belonged. They had just been paid so she was sure this person got off work and went off to drink their life away. She couldn't blame them, this place was a shit hole. Once, she had got things back to the way she liked something caught her eye. Margaret questioned what she was seeing, there was no way it was a ten-dollar bill. They had left their entire paycheck lying on the ground? 

She picked it up and ran it through her fingers, this was her lucky day! She had just been thinking about how only fortunate people got anywhere. Then her guilt started to set in. This wasn't her money to take. Yet, they shouldn't have forgotten about it! She made sure no one was watching as she put it in her pocket. Part of her was saying to take the money to her boss and turn it in so it would end up back in the rightful owner's hands. She wasn't sure what to do.

TickledPink paused and held up a ten-dollar bill before her audience.

So friends, what would you have Margaret do? Turn the money into her boss or keep it for herself?

She looked at the time and then thought a moment before letting everyone know they had until the end of July 17th to choose.

TickledPink looked around and sighed. She tilted her head to the left and put a finger to her chin thinking 

Well, this is rather unfortunate, but not unexpected!

She said as she spoke to herself. The audience was gone and no answers were given. She closed her journal, putting it into her bag. She packed up her things and held a grin on her face. Even though the story wasn't completed, she still enjoyed trying something new. 

Perhaps next time!

This story will go unfinished as there was no outcome chosen. Good luck Margaret and Edward!

She chuckled at herself for saying goodbye to her characters. Then back to headquarters she went!