Creative Writing

The Cheese Taster

 The St.Roquefort Institute for Artisanal Cheese Making. Among cheese aficionados, it is considered the foremost university for the development and study of cheese-craft in the world. As a freshman in the Cheese Taster department, you've come here to make your dream of becoming a professional cheese taster a reality. Not just to eat cheese all day and get paid for it, but because you know that there is something more for you here. Something romantic.

Choose your path in this hilarious comedy dating sim. Pick your path and along the way meet a funky cast of characters. Savor their personalities, learn their stories and maybe, just maybe, find true love along the way. 

Play it here --> https://redogre.itch.io/the-cheese-taster

 Excerpt:

The clashing flavours assault your senses. The force of the unholy combination strikes your palate like a taser and causes your mind to go blank for a second. A short second, but more than enough to briefly forget about the wad of cheese slipping back into your throat. You pull back from the brink in time to save yourself from choking to death. 

The racket of your hacking and coughing strangely doesn't seem to bother anyone. Or maybe the sheer disgust any onlookers have for you after witnessing your blasphemy is the reason no one has stepped up to rescue you with a Heimlich manoeuvre. You pound back a mug of coffee from your thermos, and after a sharp slap on the chest, you manage to dislodge your sin from your oesophagus and breathe a sigh of relief. 

You'll live to see another day. For now. You begin to gather up your things but freeze at the sudden silence around you. Only now do you notice that the doors have closed again. The bus lurches and begins its journey again as you stand powerless to save yourself from the consequences of your actions. 

Dark Minds

The story centers Henriette, a headstrong young woman bemoaning her lack of agency over her own life and Eugene, her wretched husband to be, who longs to live up to his great family's heroic legend. With Henriette pregnant and war raging in the west, Eugene moved himself and his protesting fiancé to his family's country home. A foreboding manor in the German countryside surrounded by forests and mountains. Things remain teste between Henriette and Eugene as they settle into their new lives, not aided by the unexpected arrival of Eugenes home wrecking brother Robert. But as affairs are consummated and rivalries burn high, it becomes clear that something is terribly wrong on the Schwartzhoff estate. Mysterious beasts spotted in the woods, brutal attacks on villagers and animals. The people of the nearby village become restless and call on the Schwartzhoffs to fulfill their duty to the community and hunt the beasts down. Terrified but desperate to prove himself, Eugene sets out but vanishes during the night. With her husband finally gone it seems Henriette can finally return to her old life, but that hope is dashed almost immediately. When a bruised and bleary Eugene returns in triumph with the head of a monstrous boar, little did Henriette know that nothing would ever be the same again. Killings keep occurring. The boars have put the whole village under siege and with the onset of winter, escape from the remote valley has become impossible. Robert's bravado and confidence begin to wane, as Eugenes ego and thirst for power turn this once meek man into a tyrant. What forces are at play. Where did Eugene gain his confidence. Henriette will need all her wits if she is to survive the winter and uncover the truth behind the darkness of Schwartzhoff estate. 

Excerpt:

EXT. PRECIPICE - CONTINUOUS

The group reaches a cliff overlooking the valley,

Schwartzhoff state can be seen in the distance. It is a

bright day.

Robert looks out over the valley, an uneasy look on his face.

He is clearly agitated. His stare is fixed on the horizon and

his breathing quickens. The sound of his heartbeat rings in

his ears as he scans the horizon for the signs of enemies. He

takes a deep breath and calms himself down before turning

back to the party.

ROBERT

Anything Semmel?

SEMMEL

The snow is quite fresh Sir.

Nothing was here recently.

ROBERT

Terrific. We’ve wasted our time

here.

Eugene is drinking from a water flask observing the group.

They've gathered around Robert which he detests. He stands up

and approaches the group to listen in.

SEMMEL

We haven’t checked the whole area

yet. We may yet be lucky in the

next part.

ROBERT

We should cut our loses Semmel. The

chance of us finding something here

is too low to waste our time on it.

SEMMEL

I agree but their may be tracks to

find.

ROBERT

And moral to lose. Tomorrow’s

another day Semmel.

SEMMEL

But Milord-

EUGENE

Then why not move to the next area

now?

The group turns to look at Eugene.

EUGENE (CONT’D)

We might as well. It’s along the

way back.

VILLAGER #1

We wouldn't even be halfway through

by the time its dark.

EUGENE

We don’t have to search it all. And

besides anything we’d find here

would point us there anyway.

SEMMEL

Night sets in quickly this time of

year Milord, and this area is

treacherous it may not be wise.

ROBERT

Well why not?

The group turns to look at him.

ROBERT (CONT’D)

My brother leads this expedition

does he not? I say we could all

stand to trust his judgment a

little more no?

Eugene stares at him with puzzlement. The group murmurs

amongst itself and agrees.

SEMMEL

I suppose it couldn't hurt to

expand our search a little.

ROBERT

Excellent! Shall we gentlemen?

The group sets off once again back the way they came.

Eugene’s puzzlement turns to determination as he traipses

after. We see Schwartzhoff estate in the distance as it

begins to snow.

EXT. FOREST - LATER

It has grown darker. The group is walking uphill through the

forest, Robert once again leading the way and Eugene

struggling to keep up.

SEMMEL

My lord, I think this is far

enough, we’re still not making

progress.

EUGENE

But we havent gone all that far

yet.

SEMMEL

Its getting dark Sir and the dogs

are tired. We should reconvene at

the estate. Tomorrows another day.

EUGENE

But we havent found anything yet.

ROBERT

Well wasting time out here or

wasting time back home. Time is

still wasted brother. I say we head

back for now. Lets go boys.

The group turns to go back down the incline but Eugene rushes

to the head of the party.

EUGENE

What do you think your doing?

ROBERT

I’m using common sense.

EUGENE

I’m the one leading this group. You

admitted as much yourself.

ROBERT

And you led us on a bootless

errand.

EUGENE

Weve barely even searched a third

of this area.

(turns)

Eugene keeps marching up the incline.

ROBERT

See sense brother.

EUGENE

Pull yourselves together. We are

still merely at the beginning of

this endeavour. No point in not gi-

Eugene doesn't see the incline below him and falls.

SEMMEL

Milord!

The men rush to the cliff edge. Peering down Eugene lies

sprawled on the ground, groaning in pain.

ROBERT

Wonderful

EXT. FOREST - MOMENTS LATER

The men are gathered around the injured Eugene who is wracked

with pain. One of the men is inspecting his wound. He

finishes his inspection and turns to the others.

VILLAGER #1

Its not broken but he wont be able

to walk.

VILLAGER #2

Are you serious?

ROBERT

You damn fool Eugene.

VILLAGER #3

So what do we do.

SEMMEL

We’ll need to get help.

VILLAGER #1

This late?

SEMMEL

We have no other choice.

ROBERT

No! We do. Leave him here

EVERYONE

What?

ROBERT

We have tents. And kindling for a

fire. It will be cold but he’s

bundled up enough to last a night.

We can get him in the morning.

EUGENE

If you think Im staying here by

myself to freeze to death your

foolish one.

ROBERT

This is called consequences

brother. If you'd used your head

you wouldn’t be in this situation.

SEMMEL

I fear it may be our only option

Sir.

EUGENE

You cant be serious.

VILLAGER #3

Ill remain with you Milord. I know

these woods well, you’ll be safe.

EUGENE

I cant believe this.

SEMMEL

We’ll send for you in the morning

Milord.

The group begins to set up a camp around Eugene as he watches

on helplessly.

Full Screenplay here--> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u6xkw8eRP1u2pwqJUMD5vOm1lq79Y-kS/view?usp=sharing