GHOST HOUSE

You and the others settle into various relaxed positions around the living room, as the stranger stands in the center, looking at you all with a stern seriousness.

???

I heard you all banging around in here. I'm going to guess you were trying to open the doors and windows to get out, right?

VINCE

Yeah. None of them would open up.

???

That's because you aren't home anymore. The moment you stepped through those front doors, you were transported to something like a, uh, like...

???

Like a pocket dimension. Full of the remains of people who've passed away in this place. This House.

You and your friends are stunned into silence for a beat or two.

SOKU

Right. I-I get what this is. It's an audition, isn't it?

???

What?

SOKU

You heard that I was going to be filming a horror movie, and looking at this location, and you decided to show up to put on an audition. I must admit, I admire the balls on you.

???

No, I'm not- This isn't an audition. I'm being serious.

MIKI

How would they have heard about your movie, Soku? Are you fucking stupid?

SOKU

Can you just try for two seconds to hide how jealous you are that I'm making a movie and your stupid little horror game is still stuck in concept?

VINCE

Woah! Okay! Not cool!

???

Can you people listen to what I just said? Ghosts are going to kill you.

LIL

What kind of ghosts?

MIKI

Okay, I'd have to be dumber than a rock to be jealous of your avant-garde elevated horror bullshit.

SOKU

Where the fuck do you get off on saying that when your game is psychological horror? Y'know, the direct ancestor to elevated?

SOKU

Besides, it's a revenge fantasy film. Christ. Pay attention.

You see movement outside in the hallway, where the stranger had come from. As the argument continues, your head pounds harder, and you find yourself itching to investigate that movement rather than stand here and listen to them all bicker.

In a moment, you squeeze past the others and step out of the living room, closing the door softly behind you.