CHARACTERS

AMBROSE
NIMUE
CASTILLE
CYBORG
NARRATOR

OPENING SCENE

The NARRATOR begins to speak over a brown vignette. He sounds

slightly anachronistic, taking on the cadence of a 1950’s
announcer.

NARRATOR
In a time many years past, Fate set
the stage for a tale unlike any
other.

A paper-craft style comet bounces from the top right of the

screen down.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The Great Comet crashes down from
beyond.

It collides with a building, creating bouncing rubble before

it settles.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
It strikes the workshop of a grand
inventor, CASTILLE. Grand, but
desperate.

A paper-craft style scientist, somewhat wounded in the crash,

approaches the glowing comet. We never see his face.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
With the threat of bankruptcy
winding down his back, he
experiments with the mystical
shards.

The scientist is in front of a table, working in the glow of

the shards. Shadows bounce around him as sparks fly.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Workers begin to leave, seeking
stable employment.

Shadows of working class people move away from the factory.

 2.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
As if in response, people begin to
go missing.

The camera pans over a slew of missing posters on a worn down

wall. The light of the factory can be seen in the distance.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Yet the gears of progress continue
to turn.

The camera slides up and zooms in on the factory. Lights

flicker from the inside. Lightning strikes.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
This does not go without notice.
We return to the scene of Castille working. We are further
back now, able to see the girl, NIMUE, peeking around the
corner.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Nimue, young prodigy and child of
the negligent Castille, can only
watch in horror.

Castille steps away from the table he is working from. A

large bear like creature sits up. Its AMBROSE. He looks
towards the camera, goofy looking, a gentle cartoony contrast
to the harsh seriousness of the father. He waves to Nimue.
Castille notices Nimue and angrily approaches, cornering her.

The camera looks up at the towering Castille as he raises a

hand to strike her. A taller shadow, Ambrose, appears behind
Castille, staying his hand.

Ambrose and Nimue stand in a hallway as Castille slams a door

in their face.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Both abandoned by their creator,
Nimue and Ambrose, the cyborg bear,
become fast friends.

Nimue runs across the factory floor, dragging Ambrose behind.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
It’s not long until the darkness of
the truth reaches them.

A WORKER in the factory laughs bashfully with Nimue and

Ambrose.
 3.

The next day, Ambrose and Nimue watch a CYBORG working

dutifully in the workers place.

Nimue shows Ambrose off in the Yard center to curious and

friendly workers.

The next day, Ambrose and Nimue stand alone in the Yard ghost
town.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
They realize what must be done.

The two look up at the looming factory, determined.

Nimue experiments and crafts with scraps. Ambrose does his

best to help. Nimue proudly presents the first artifact in a
zelda-like item discovery fashion.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
Thus, our story begins.

The 2D papercraft vignette dissolves to the actual 3D

gameplay as Nimue and Ambrose enter the Yard.

NARRATOR (CONT’D)
The story of the Soul Shard.

YARD

Trigger: Spawn

NIMUE
There. That building in the
distance where the lightning
struck. We need to go there.

AMBROSE
(acknowledgement grunt)

Trigger: Shortly After Spawn

NIMUE
Let’s review the plan. I only had
enough shards to make one
artifact.”

NIMUE (CONT’D)
You can throw it anywhere or call
it back.”

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(speak with a bounce, as
though on a trampoline)
(MORE)
 4.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
With my remote, it can bounce me
like a trampoline,

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(speak in a loud, excited
whisper)
Conceal me like a chameleon,

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(speak with a giggle)
Rock us like a teeter-totter,

NIMUE (CONT’D)
And go back to normal again. Got
it, love?
AMBROSE
(Ambrose grunts
affirmatively.)

Trigger: First Approach a Spinning Head

NIMUE
Those heads will sound the alarm.
Let me take care of them.

AMBROSE
(Ambrose grunts
affirmatively)

Trigger: Near Building

NIMUE
Those lug-nuts won’t let us pass.
We’ll have to go through the
basement. I think there are doors
by the canal.”

AMBROSE
(Ambrose grunts in
acknowledgement)

MIND THE GAP

Trigger: Spawn

Whenever Castille speaks, its over the sound of

machinery/tinkering.

An intercom flickers on, as though pressed accidentally.

 5.

CASTILLE
(Absentminded)
Hmm... What if I weld this to...

Interrupted by the sound of a cracking bone.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Damn you to hell! Humans are so
fragile...

The intercom cuts out.

Trigger: Near the First Gap

NIMUE
Ambrose, try the artifact here.
AMBROSE
(Ambrose grunts
affirmatively)

Trigger: Players enter second room.

The intercom flickers on once more. A cyborg can be heard

beeping.

CASTILLE
Yes...yes...just...

An almost pained beep rings out.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
You absolute oaf. No smarter than
lemmings.

Trigger: Enter Room with Cyborg

NIMUE
The door consoles broke...we need
that to go on.

AMBROSE
(whines)

Trigger: Approach Gap in Room

NIMUE
Careful, those are live wires down
there.
 6.

AMBROSE
(grunts gratefully and
affirmatively)

Trigger: Short Timer After Previous

NIMUE
The Cyborg! He could short circuit
the console!

AMBROSE
(grunts in agreement and
realization)

NIMUE
Hope it doesn’t hurt him too bad.

Trigger: Pick up Shard

NIMUE (CONT’D)
A shard! I didn’t expect to find
another one. I wonder...

AMBROSE
(grunts curiously)

HAYSTACK ROLLER

Trigger: Player’s near the hayboiler.

Intercom flickers on. Flames hiss loudly, then sputter out.

CASTILLE
Useless, these boilers are useless.

Castille sighs.
CASTILLE (CONT’D)
They’d be better as a circus balls
than mechanical tool. Maybe I could
resell them to some acrobats;
Picadillys coming around this year.

NIMUE
Watch this, Ambrose! I can run on
the boiler like an acrobat.

AMBROSE
(laughs)
 7.

Trigger: Players near the steam for the first time.

Intercom flickers on. The hiss of steam can be heard,

followed by Castille’s roar.

CASTILLE
(through gritted teeth)
Steam got me. Must be more careful,
it could kill.

Trigger: Near the Console/Stairs Break

NIMUE
That console isn’t powered. I think
the wires got cut.

AMBROSE
(annoyed grunt)

Trigger: Near the Gap with Wires

NIMUE
We need something big to rig the
circuit.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

Trigger: Boiler in hole

NIMUE
It worked! Consoles on.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

GEARS-CALATOR

Trigger: Spawn.

Intercom flickers on. Sound of gears can be heard.

 8.

CASTILLE
How novel...the cyborg rode the
gears to escape me.

A button clicks. The audibly go faster, followed by the sound

of metal crushing and a sad beep.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
It won’t do that again.

Trigger: Near the Rideable Gears

NIMUE
I bet we can ride it like a ferris
wheel! Guess it’s a miniature one
to you, Ambrose.
AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

Trigger: Near the Broken Path

NIMUE
It would be tricky, but maybe I
could bounce over there?

AMBROSE
(grunts unsurely)

Trigger: Both Over on Other Side

NIMUE
(pretend serious voice)
Once more unto the breach, gear
friend!

AMBROSE
(sighs heavily)

NIMUE
If it really was that bad, the
doors over there. Literally.

AMBROSE
(sighs louder and heavier)

Trigger: Pick up Other Artifact Shard

NIMUE
Hmmm...Tadaa! Made you another
artifact, buddy. Throw one here,
another over there, and we get a
lovely plank. Do you like it?
 9.

AMBROSE
(gives multiple excited,
affirmative grunts)

HEAVY GEARS

Trigger: Players start level.

Intercom starts, but now with purpose and clarity.

CASTILLE
(almost bored)
You are currently trespassing on
private property. Leave now.

He drums his fingers.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Or don’t. The cyborgs will take
care of you. Just don’t gum up the
gearwork.

NIMUE
(jokingly)
On the one hand, is it really
trespassing if I’m his daughter?

AMBROSE
(inquisitve grunt)

NIMUE
(reflectively, as if
solving a puzzle or doing
mental math)
On the other, it’s not like he
knows who’s broken in. I’m sure
security just detected two
intruders.
AMBROSE
(grunts thoughtfully)

NIMUE
(whimsically)
On the other, other hand, or on
your paws, perhaps, I think he’d be
enraged if he knew it was us.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)
 10.

Trigger: Near the First Set of Overhead Gears

NIMUE
They’re going so fast. I think
Father is exceeding the safety
limit on their speed.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

Trigger: Near Set of Breakable Gears

NIMUE
I can squeeze by but...you’re a big
boy Ambrose.

Trigger: Nim on the Other Side, Near Console

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Oh! If I make them go a little bit
faster with this...

Trigger: Gear Broke

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(under her breathe)
Wow. Father never did like the OSHA
folks from overseas.

SUFFICIENT LEVERAGE

Trigger: Spawn.

Intercom purposefully starts.

CASTILLE
(slightly annoyed)
Persistent pests aren’t you. My
cyborgs have barricaded the doors.
Give it up.

NIMUE
(chipper, unfazed)
Nothing we can’t deal with, right
Ambrose?

AMBROSE
(happy grunt)
 11.

NIMUE
A plank would fit nicely across
that pit.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

Trigger: Near the Blockade

NIMUE
You’re quite strong, Ambrose, but
I’m not sure you’re strong enough
for this.

AMBROSE
(grunts affirmatively)

Trigger: Near Piston

NIMUE
That’s for compressing metal.
‘Lotta force behind that.

Trigger: Timer/After too Long

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Remember when I made you that metal
whirligig toy, Ambrose?

AMBROSE
(affirmative, happy grunt)

NIMUE
Remember how the wind got mighty
fierce the next day?

AMBROSE
(affirmative, curious
grunt)

NIMUE
It was so strong, we were able to
shoot marbles across the entire
town.

AMBROSE
(chuckles)

NIMUE
The wind blew towards us...kinda
like that piston is moving...”

AMBROSE
(inquisitive grunts)
 12.

NIMUE
And it shot the marbles in the
opposite direction...

AMBROSE
(realization grunt)

NIMUE
You got it! Like we want the
barricade to. Let’s try to make the
artifact lever-like.

QUICK PULL

Trigger: Players start level.

Intercom purposefully starts.

CASTILLE
(very annoyed)
Get them, you scrap-metal dunce!
You’ll go no further with him
around, intruders.

NIMUE
We’ll see about that. Bet we can
dodge him. Let’s go to the door

AMBROSE
(affirmative, determined
grunt)

Trigger: Nears Gap, Can See Door And Console

NIMUE
Darnit, he must have cut power to
the console. We’ll have to short
circuit it.

AMBROSE
(affirmative grunt)

NIMUE
A cyborg worked before, right?

AMBROSE
(affirmative grunt)

Trigger: Cyborg Dropped

NIMUE
Console’s powered, we can open the
door.
 13.

AMBROSE
(affirmative grunt)

NIMUE
I wish we didn’t have to hurt them,
though. They were my friends before
Father got to them.

AMBROSE
(affirmative grunt)

SUFFICIENT LEVERAGE

Trigger: Players start level.

Intercom starts. Something click and mechanical noises play.

CASTILLE
(furious, but slightly
scared)
I’ve removed the stairway. You are
thwarted by gravity itself,
vagrants.

NIMUE
We’ve come this far; something as
silly as gravity won’ stop us.

AMBROSE
(affirmative, determined
grunt)

Trigger: Nears Yellow Pipe

NIMUE
Have you ever been on a teeter-
totter, Ambrose?

AMBROSE
(curious “no” grunt)

NIMUE
We could make one with the pipe.

The intercom starts. It is still purposeful.

 14.

CASTILLE
(rambling, talking to
himself)
Bull-headed little beasts, but what
type? There’s no-one left in the
town. I used them up one by one. A
traveler perhaps? An adventurer?

NIMUE
I didn’t expect him to admit it so
easily...he almost sounds proud.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
It was so lonely growing up with
him. When I got older, the
townsfolk made it better.
NIMUE (CONT’D)
And now they’re gone.

AMBROSE
(whimpers)

NIMUE
I don’t know what I’d have done
without you, Ambrose.

AMBROSE
(grunts affectionately)

Trigger: Plank Lever Has Been Created

NIMUE
See, I get on one end, you get on
another, and we go up and down.

AMBROSE
(grunts, confused)

NIMUE
Or we would, if you weren’t so big.
AMBROSE
(grunts disappointed)

NIMUE
Don’t be sad, we can teeter-totter
another time. And being big means
there’s more hugs.

Castille chuckles to himself.

 15.

CASTILLE
(amused)
Some doe-eyed, snot nosed child too
clever for their own good?

A pregnant pause.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
(no longer amused,
realizing its Nimue)
I’m painfully familiar with one of
those. Insolent. So repulsive, her
own mother left her.

NIMUE
(sniffling, through
suppressed tears, under
her breath)
He doesn’t mean it. He’s jsut
upset. It’s not your fault. Mommy
loved you. She didn’t want to go.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(normal volume, trying to
sound like she wasn’t
crying)
I mean it, Ambrose. I’m not sure
I’d still be around if you weren’t
here.

AMBROSE
(lovingly grunts)

NIMUE
(depressed and under her
breath. she’s talking
about a truly terrible
darkness that engulfed
her after her mother left
but before Ambrose came
along)
And I think that would be one
disappearance Father didn’t create.

AMBROSE
(grunts inquisitively)

NIMUE
(truly grateful. still a
little sniffly but
better)
Oh, nothing...actually, can I have
a hug? I love you, Ambrose.
 16.

AMBROSE
(grunts lovingly)

Trigger: Nim Reaches Top

NIMUE
The consoles up here! Let me
just...

Trigger: Console Pressed

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Is it open, Ambrose?

AMBROSE
(affirmatively grunts)
CASTILLE
(stern)
Leave now, Nimue, and take your
mutt with you. I will not be as
merciful if you bother my
experiments again.

NIMUE
Merciful? He almost struck me. He
would’ve, if not for you, Ambrose.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
And the sounds you made when he
worked on you...like you were in
agony...

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’m not sure he knows what mercy
is.

ENDING CUTSCENE

Occurs after Nim and Ambrose complete the final task

necessary to destroy the assembly/cause the instruction.

A resounding bang rings out, followed by a bellowing yell.

CASTILLE
How

His speech is punctuated by harsh footsteps from a tall

winding staircase. Dust falls in line with the steps.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Dare
 17.

Castille descends further. We don’t see him, and never do,

but his approach is clear from the dust and audio
positioning.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
You

He further descends, but this is followed by another

resounding explosion. The entire staircase shakes. Its
central pillar begins to crack and crumble.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Ungrateful

Ambient cyborgs in the room snap to attention. There is a

glow in their shards, like a brightening of their ambient
light. Something has changed within them.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Horrid

The cyborgs march towards the pillar. They completely ignore

Ambrose and Nimue, going as far as to bump into them on their
way.

CASTILLE (CONT’D)
Wretched

The cyborgs begin to bang on the pillar. The entire staircase

shakes violently. Nimue steps forward as if to stop them, but
Ambrose holds her back.

NIMUE
Stop it, father, you have to stop.
We can fix this.

Large metal rods fall. Explosions ring out int he distance. A

background wall crumbles.

CASTILLE
You are no daughter of mine.
The cyborgs break the pillar, but they don’t make any move to
escape the falling rubble. The light of their shards goes out
completely. The entire stairway falls. Castille shouts out in
surprise, but is silenced as the falling staircase engulfs
him.

Cyborgs limbs poke out from every angle in the rubble, but a
single human hand is outstretched in the middle. Nim breaks
away from Ambrose and kneels in front of it.
 18.

There is a moment of silence. Nimue begins to reach out to

hold her father’s hand, but withdraws halfway there. Ambrose
rests his paw on Nim’s shoulder.

NIMUE
You never were my father, were
you...

Another wall collapses; another explosion rings out. Ambrose

pulls at Nim’s shoulder. She stands up, wipes her face of
swelling tears, and takes in the environment.

She catches a swarm of angry cyborgs swarming the yard, which

is burning in chaos, through a shattered window. She
sniffles, grabs Ambrose’s paw, and storms forward.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
C’mon Ambrose, we have to get out
of here.

BARKS

Trigger: Nim Gets Cyborgs Attention

NIMUE
(blow raspberry)
Can’t get me!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Oh no, oh no, oh no

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’m in trouble.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Leave me alone Mr. Cyborg

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Ambrose, they’re chasing me.
NIMUE (CONT’D)
Help!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
It’s coming.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Slowpoke.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Nananabooboo.
 19.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Nice try metal man.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Beep-Boop

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Hey! Hey! Look at me!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Hey rustbucket!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
You’re a dummy! Dummy, dummy, dummy

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Bet a bottle of oil I’m faster than
you.

: Nim “Dies”

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I just wanted to help.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Ambrose, save me.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Why, Father...

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Aaaaa

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Ambrose!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Help!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Help me, please!
NIMUE (CONT’D)
No!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Darn-it.

AMBROSE
Sad whimper

AMBROSE (CONT’D)
Angry roar
 20.

AMBROSE (CONT’D)
Sniffling

AMBROSE (CONT’D)
High pitch whine

AMBROSE (CONT’D)
Claws scratching metal

AMBROSE (CONT’D)
Ni-mmmmm

Trigger: Nim dies in water

NIMUE
I can’t...I can’t swim.
NIMUE (CONT’D)
It burns, why doesit burn.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Can’t....breathe...

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Yuck, help, help

Trigger: Nim is caught by Cybrog

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Let me go you pile of junk

NIMUE (CONT’D)
No, stop it, no, let me go.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I said let me go.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I hate you!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Get away from me.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
You’re hurting me, let go.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Stupid robot.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’ll come back, y’know.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
You can’t stop me.
 21.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’m trying to help you.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’ll show you.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Not again.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Sack of nuts and bolts.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I won’t tell Father, you can let me
go.
NIMUE (CONT’D)
You’re lucky Ambrose is peaceful.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I should sic Ambrose on you.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’m allowed ot be here, I promise.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Gosh-darnit

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Dang-nabit

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Fiddlesticks

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’ll scrap you.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’ll get you next time.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Alright, you caught me.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Okay, okay, I’m sorry.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I said I’m sorry.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I said I’m sorry, Mr. Robot.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Yeah, alright, you got me.
 22.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’m sorry I called you slow.

Trigger: Nim running on Hay Boiler

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Ambrose, look at me!

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I always wanted to go to the
circus.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
This is tricky.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Its like dancing.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I wonder if I can go faster.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Wheeee

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Hums a circus tune

Trigger: Ambient Dialogue

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Love you, Ambrose

NIMUE (CONT’D)
What was it like being a bear?\

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I hope Father didn’t hurt you too
terribly.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I’ll give you a big treat when
we’re done.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(yawn)
I want to take a nap; can I use you
as a pillow?

NIMUE (CONT’D)
(to the Batman tune)
Na-na-na-na-na-na, Ambroose

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Can I hold your hand?
 23.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Ni-mmm-ue, you can do it Ambrose.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Piggyback? Please?

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Amby-Amby Ambroooose

NIMUE (CONT’D)
One day I’ll be as big as you.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I won’t let anyone else suffer like
you did, Ambrose.
NIMUE (CONT’D)
Do I need to clip your claws again?

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Thank you for helping me, Ambrose.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Thank you for being my friend,
Ambrose.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
People are gonna love you, Ambrose.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
C’mere, you have something in your
fur.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Do you need a tune up?

NIMUE (CONT’D)
I should give you a tune up
sometime.

NIMUE (CONT’D)
Do you need some oil?