Consistency

>Serve pumpkin tea, the boss usually appreciates that.

Well, this customer did say "anything", and the boss does like it when you don't have that "abomination that calls itself 'tea'" filling up the storeroom... Yeah, that's probably your best choice.

You pour some pumpkin tea into the man's cup. He drinks it up, then starts coughing and collapses on the floor.

The other customers are staring at you now. This could pose a problem in getting rid of any more pumpkin tea. What are you going to do?

>That interfering archaeologist is hot on your tail. Do something to shake him.

Curses! You aren't sure just how Rhode Island Henderson managed to find his way here, but he won't thwart you this time!

Just as he catches up to you, you grab him by the shoulders and shake him vigorously. He's dizzy now; you consider shooting him while he's disoriented, but you're on a tight schedule. After all, you're not the only ones after the artifact.

Come to think of it, you might be better served diverting Henderson's attention to one of your other rivals; he's not going to recognize you in this thick cloak, after all. But how could you best go about doing that?

> Research Consistency.

You invest 700 CP into researching Consistency.

Now instead of your coffee being a strange blend of foul-tasting muddy liquid and a large lump of powder, it's all foul-tasting muddy liquid! Sales actually drop, apparently you hadn't quite reached rock-bottom after all.

As a result of reduced sales, your division has only received 500 CP for research this phase, as opposed to the usual 800. That's a steep penalty. What's the best way to spend it?

Flip the universe on a giant pancake griddle, John Bunyan style.

You're not sure who John Bunyan is, but what the heck. You've got this giant pancake griddle and the ultimate gravity-reversing magic, you may as well use it.

You stand on the griddle and cast the spell. The entire universe, except for the griddle, turns upside-down. You give a smirk; you bet John Bunyan is so jealous of you right now! Whoever he is.

It's your parents! Well, now's a good a time as any.

"Mom... Dad... I have something to tell you."

You reveal your embarrassing secret to your parents. It's difficult, but they're the people you trust the most. Who else could you possibly tell?

Your father looks at you once your tale is done, a solemn expression on his face. Your mother bursts into tears.

"It's all right, son," your father finally replies after a long pause. "I admit it's not what I'd hoped for, but I'm still proud of you."

Soon after, your mother finds enough composure to speak between the sobs.

"We... we love you very much. I... I wasn't expecting this, but... but it's all right. I just... I need some time..."

You lower your head sadly.

"Listen, son," your father says, patting you on the shoulder and smiling broadly, "I know acting's hard work. You can't expect your first dramatic confession to go perfectly right off the bat."

"That's right, dear," your mother chimes in. "Honestly, I think you may have overdone it on the emotional gestures just a bit. You need them to come across more naturally."

You look up, a little brighter.

"Thanks," you say. "I'll get back to practicing."

"Maybe you should try a different aspect for a while," your father suggests. "Figure out what's best for you."

So, how will you go about refining your acting technique?