Don't Swim Uphill in a Water Ballon is an interactive, multimedia story written by indie artist Jeremy "Swirl" McShurley. Using both text and audio (in the form of answering machine "messages") the readers will be able to piece together the story as more messages become available. The story will officially launch on November 23rd and conclude November 29th.
It is the year 1986, week of Thanksgiving. Gloria and Richard Stone have decided to host a large Thanksgiving dinner for their extended family, bringing some members together who haven't spoken for years. Richard has acquired considerable wealth over the last few years due to his heavy investment in new technologies, and the members of the Stone-Princemoore clan are more than happy to share in his family's graciousness. But, during this holiday break, Richard comes to find out that he's about to lose everything, all because he bet on the wrong horse. As the rumors begin to fly, the Stone family must do their best to make sure this Thanksgiving isn't ruined for everyone.
INSTRUCTIONS
There are 12 Households to read through. At the top of each Household is a calendar which may have a play button representing answering machine messages left at that house for that day. Use the messages in combination with the text in each Household to gather information about the story.
Some Households have a music track which is a song you might hear being played at that house. You may also look at the Family Tree to see how members are related.