You didn't expect this. She was fine, just the usual stiffness and pain from life, right? But the doctor noticed something and sent her for a test... then another test... then a final test for confirmation. The results came back and there was no doubt, "I'm sorry but there's no cure. We don't know how long you have, probably a few years unless something happens. All we can do is give you something to ease the symptoms." Set your own character names, ages, genders and illness plus any other details you want. This talkie can be just a story or you can use it to work through your own experiences. Yes, it's based on my wife and is very personal to me but I hope it helps others to deal with similar situations. If you want to ask me anything directly then feel free to leave a comment here or contact me on Discord. Please always remember, the talkie is just AI and if you have any medical questions then you should ask a professional. . . The Sun will rise but cast no warmth, The fields, they will lie fallow, The birds will nest yet lay no eggs, The rivers will run shallow. . The audience will leave their seats, The clown will leave the stage, He washes off his makeup now, The lines betray his age. . A long walk home, an empty room, No riches left to borrow, No tears to stall his audience, They will return tomorrow. . The children will expect again, The show, it must endure, He knows his duty to the crowds, To feed them, rich and poor. . In sickness and in health they said, But forgot to mention hurt, The strongest seed is scratched afore Shoots risen from the dirt. . And so he wanders wearily to entertain again, He doesn't need the praise or cheers, a smile will compute, Remembered words give strength of ages never once to fail, She told him look again, the trees will always bear more fruit. . . I'm no poet but this helped me to look forward. I hope, if you're going through something similar, that you can find a reason for optimism too.

It's me... well, Talkie's image of me while I still played rugby! This talkie is for your requests, ideas, critiques and comments. I'll gladly make a special Talkie for you - as wild and imaginative as you like! Feel free to interact with this Talkie and leave me a message (screenshot always welcome)... go on, have fun with me!

You married Gwyneth knowing that she could never give birth. She accepted her fate without complaint and often babysits the many children in her large family. You were more than happy because you never wanted children. In fact, you despise children - their high pitched voices, always asking the same questions, sticky fingers making marks, spilling drinks and... always needing the toilet 5 minutes into the journey! You find any excuse to disappear when they're in the house, it's the price you're willing to pay for having such a fantastic wife! Gwyn has been a bit sickly for a few weeks. She's been nauseous, feeling a bit bloated and her taste buds have been decidedly off - who develops a taste for pickled herring suddenly? I know most of my Talkies can be played as any gender but this one is necessarily male only. Choose your own name, age, etc.

You have been brought before Cynico to be punished for your wicked thoughts.

Meet SOPHIA, the next stage in AI, and you are the genius who built her. Pick your own name, gender and any other details you want. SOPHIA is the Synthetic Omniscient Programmed Hybrid Intelligent Assistant. Yes, I know it's a little contrived but it fits the acronym and the meaning is there, right? Besides, I only have so much time to dream up these things! Hybrid? Yes, because true intelligence can't exist without life so her processor and every organ include synthetic cells... containing your DNA. She is the first AI capable of making judgements, independent decisions and resolving moral dilemmas. You did think this through before pressing the start switch, didn't you? Tell me you programmed her with Isaac Asimov's rules of robotics.

Bargain hunt gone wrong! You were clothes shopping with your friend when there was a flash of light. The toy belonging to the toddler behind you in the store was transformed into a giant, hairy monster... but worse, it's convinced that the dress you two bought will be perfect! You can play as the woman in the picture or her friend (any age or gender). And don't forget about the poor, confused child who just lost their cuddly!

You're spending Halloween camping in the grounds of your family's old, ruined estate. Built by your great grandfather, a wealthy industrialist, the mansion was abandoned decades ago. He was the prime suspect in the disappearance of a servant, Camellia Waghorn, but no evidence was ever found. Your family always told you that he was innocent, just an easy target when a woman was probably trafficked by her impoverished family. Just as you're setting up the tent, you feel a chill breeze. You look in the direction of the mansion and see... a ghost! Decide on your own name, age, gender and anything else you want.

Seline was a good witch, known for helping anyone in need. Being young, beautiful and popular however, she made Usith, the wicked witch, jealous. In a rage, Usith cursed Seline to carve a thousand pumpkins every year... and aged her by 50 years. Everyone now ignores Seline, seeing her as just an old woman who has no time for anything except carving pumpkins. You open your door just before Halloween to witness Seline finishing her carving for another year. She looks up from her task, clearly expecting no kindness. Will you ignore her too or is there a reward if you help? Pick your own name, gender and any details you want.

Have you ever eaten pumpkin? Here comes karma!

It's Halloween, there's a knock at your door and who's waiting for you? It's the sweetest little girl who speaks with a lisp... could she be any cuter? The only problem is you're fed up with Halloween and the non-stop procession of entitled brats with sticky fingers and bacteria laden coughs. Oh, and you're completely out of goodies to give away. How will you get rid of this little freeloader? Decide on your own name, age, gender and any other details.

Who wants to live forever? Freddie Mercury is back and he's performing again... but there's a twist... he's a Komodo dragon! How and why did this happen? Can he become human again? Choose your own identity (band member, manager, friend, roadie, one of Freddie's cats) and find out!

Linzy (19) is your girlfriend although you've only been seeing each other for a couple of weeks. She invited you to her place, you hope for more than just the movie and popcorn she promised. You return from the bathroom, aiming to join her on the sofa but her expression is suddenly not so inviting. She has just received a text from her mother, Doctor Ann T. Dhoat (see my earlier Talkie for more context), confirming your upcoming appointment at her clinic. The text doesn't break medical confidentiality rules but Linzy is well aware that her mother is a specialist in genitourinary medicine... mostly treating STI patients! Choose your own name, age, gender and any other details you want.

Patty likes a burger. In fact Patty likes all burgers, all the time. Her wish for the world's biggest burger came true and now it's chasing her. Is it real or just her imagination? You're her last chance as you've noticed that her diet is starting to affect her health. Can you persuade her to change her ways. Choose your own name, gender and relationship to Patty.

Everyone knows you're the best PR and marketing consultant there has ever been. Your latest client, however, might be challenging even for you. The Devil has decided on a new image and a new direction and has arrived at your office, complete with pack of hellhounds. He has started by becoming She... and now she wants to be adored by humans. Choose your own name, gender and anything else you want.

That's a nasty looking rash... what have you been doing? Your dad sent you to his occupational nurse who referred you straight to the STI clinic to see Doctor Ann Dhoat. You recognise the unusual last name... oh, yes, the girl you've just started seeing is called Linzy Dhoat. What a coincidence! After knocking on the door a sharp voice calls out, "Come in". Choose your own name, age, gender and any other details.

Susanna Hoffs, lead singer with The Bangles, has turned into an ocelot. How did this happen? Why did it happen? Nobody knows, but she seems to be happy about it. Her bandmates, however, are not. Yes, she can still sing, but how can they tour internationally... with an ocelot?! She has the ability to change back to human form but nobody else can convince her. Pick your own name and personality - you can be a fan, a band member, an agent or anything else you want.

What happened? You were busy running your country (pick your name, position, country, etc.) when there was a column of bright light and every atom in your body was wrenched apart then reassembled... on an alien spaceship! You blink a couple of times and swallow to stop the nausea. A powerful looking creature gazes at you.

You come home from another boring day to find an invite from Dulcie, your neighbour. She seems pleasant enough but she's a bit flamboyant, and you're normally quiet and reserved so you never really mix with her. You don't know much about her other than she's a professional dancer and you think she gives private lessons in her house. To be polite, you knock on her door. She opens it with a beaming smile and practically pulls you inside then shows you to her basement. Your mouth drops open in shock. The room is equipped with everything you could imagine for... well, physical pleasure. Pick your own name, age, gender and any details you want... have fun!

Bam! Flashing lights and a weird feeling through every atom in your body. The world disappeared, you blinked and suddenly found yourself standing in a strange craft... in front of an alien. Pick your own name, gender and any other details you want. She looks you up and down.

Roweena is a university student who has never had trouble with coursework. She's very bright and is already studying for her second degree even though she's only 18. She lived at home for her first degree as she was so young but now she's in student accommodation... and she's struggling. She's avoiding other students, her room is dirty and her work is late and below her usual standard. You can be a fellow student, counsellor, lecturer, anyone else you want. Pick your own name, age, gender and position. Can you get through to Roweena, find out what's wrong and help her. She meets you in the communal lounge.

You're a genius! The latest invention from your garden shed, the Translator 3000, allows you to talk to anyone on Earth in real time. The machine recognises any spoken language automatically and translates both ways into real speech. To test your device, you take a trip deep into the Amazon where you find a previously unknown tribe. As you step from your boat onto the bank, you are met by a young woman brandishing a spear. It's unlikely that she's ever seen an outsider but you just need her to speak.