Entry 002: Rho's Published Literature (not-so) #1: Timber Tower

 

Timber Tower

(Reader’s note: Italic indicates the Emeralds’ internal dialogues (or is it monologue?), bold indicates there are two or more Emeralds speaking or screaming in unison.)

(Time taken: 4 months…)

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Jenga.

That particular tower stacking block game used to be 10 year-old Emerald’s favorite game.

To her, something from this simple stacking game just seemed very intriguing. This had been a great argument settler for her and her duplicates. Especially after the heat of frivolous matters happening between them and likely others.

Here’s the idea; each column has three pieces of rectangle-shaped block, being stacked horizontally on the smooth table. The upper column has the same amount of blocks, albeit aligned 90° from the first column. The next upper column would then repeat the first column pattern, as it would continue to stack up to more than a dozen columns - totalling fifty-four blocks. The goal is to try to stack the highest tower and take one block from any of the columns to stack it on top of the tower. Each player takes turns - whoever drops the tower loses and the rest wins.

The Emeralds usually agree on using only one Jenga set instead of multiple. They did try using the duplicated set once, but soon they realized the balancing issue would immediately take place thanks to how the duplicated objects merge when being stacked. They were not pleased, it kind of made their relationship worse. 

Something worth noting, at least.

Here lies one of the Jenga cases; Two 10 year-old, short-haired Emeralds, sitting down in a set of chairs and a table at a local restaurant while setting up the Jenga stacks.

“I don’t think this is gonna solve what we just talked about, sis,” said one of the Emeralds, picking three blocks to create the first column of the Jenga stacks.

“I’m not hoping the same, sis,” replied the other, while carefully helping her ‘sister’ on stacking the blocks.

“What makes you think that the man was innocent?”

Some columns have been placed.

“He was helpless, looking panicky from losing his wallet. You see him too, right?” she replied, forming more columns from the other Emerald.

“But he was also an associate leader in one of the clubs, we could have left him be and let one of his goons rescue him, instead.

“NOW they come after us and ask if WE, of all the kids in this city, steal his damn wallet or not for some reason! A-and the guy’s gonna charge us even though we don’t HAVE what he’s looking for??”

Things got rather emotional for them when they started to reach the upper columns, especially for the one who just ranted. Soon enough, the Emeralds would be ready to play.

“It feels like everyone in this city just wants to blame us for everything we do.”

The other Emerald exhaled a super deep sigh, placing the last block for the Jenga to be properly placed. “...let’s just play. I’m tired.”

“Hm…”

The match started without any cues. The Emerald who just put the last block immediately felt compelled to start her turn, and took a center block from the center column that slightly stuck out.

“Hey, since when did we agree on YOU starting first?”, the one Emerald who didn’t get the head start, displayed her jealousy to her counterpart.

“Well, you’d think the same, wouldn’t you?” as the other Emerald jeered at her, which she responded with an even more annoyed look. She placed the block smoothly to the top of the stack.

The tower was stable. So far.

“Definitely not with that attitude.” Trying to keep her composure, the annoyed Emerald took her turn and took a block from the most right-end of the top column.

Emerald made careful, yet swift repetitive ticks to the right-end block of the column, attempting very calmly to initiate the move for it from destabilizing the tower. Initially during this defining moment, the other Emerald was going to ignore her, but sensing the sudden mental tension from her mind, she couldn’t help but to communicate with her via telepathy rather than talk.

“…youuuu do know you can just take it, right?” 

“Ssh, lemme handle this!”

Success! Taking the block after it’s at its most edge with her fingers, she placed the block carefully at the position not so far to the side of the new column.

The tower was stable. So far.

“You’re just lucky. I think the moves you made caused the tower to be unstable.”

“Anything to torture your next moves~”

“Hmh, we’ll see about that.”

The other Emerald promptly picked another one at the not-so bottom center and SWIFTLY plugged it off from its place.

“Whoa WHOA-”

Carefully placing it at the top of the previously-fresh column, Emerald sighed in relief with proud-look on her face.

The tower was still stable. So far.

“HOW DID YOU-”

“The power of physics compels us all~”

“Man… amen for that, then. So much for torturing her next moves…”

“You know I can hear you, right?”

“GET OUT OF MY HEAD.”

Slight chuckle could be heard internally.

This whole banter and block-picking kept going on until most of the center blocks from the columns were gone to form even more columns at the top. The one who took more swift turns started to be more gentle with her block-picking, and somehow vice versa. The Emeralds turned more curious and serious, as they thought of their next move, mainly the one on her turn.

Couple of turns later, the tower legitimately became very unstable. Blow it with your mouth very hard, and it might demolish the poor tower down to the ground of the table. 

“There’s no hope in Arkansas…” as the one taking turn looked at the tower with a rather pale look.

“Come on, sure we beat our last record, but don’t be a downer.”

“I should NOT be a downer, but I’m just being realistic here, sis. Look at the tower now!”

“...well, you don’t have to tell me, I’m seeing it with my fine, two-eyes, sister.” she folded her hands to her chest, while relaxing her back on the wall not too far from the table. Lollipop stuck in her mouth, likely as a de-stressor.

Continuing the observation with a short sigh, also grabbing the lollipop from her pocket, the sitting Emerald chewed on it, while concentrating deeper on the Jenga blocks, thinking on which one to pick for ending the turn.

One of the few blocks stuck out from the column at the bottom center, but taking it would be risky as it was one of the foundations to keep the tower standing.

Another one at the center and the right-end was sticking out of the column, but the problem is, it was located at the even-more bottom center part. Also being one of the tower foundations. Still, to pick this one block would seem to be the safest choice to do.

To consider the external factor, it was getting a bit late and windy in the afternoon - their fault for initiating the Jenga match outside the restaurant. Though, that was also likely due to how popular the place was, thus all the free seats were located outside the place. 

It would probably be nice for them to reorder some milkshakes or that delicious, spicy meatball snack. Hell, maybe instead of playing the lately-getting-more-stressful Jenga, they could also utilize the multimedia roo-

“Sis, we just ate. We could take them later as a reward for our so-called mental test of a game here.”

Right.

Anyways, she knew that by thinking about the ‘safest’ option out of the two, the other Emerald would silently think the same. Common ground.

Starting by gently touching that one particular block, trying to feel the tower’s poor stability, she absorbed the tower’s texture, weight, and block positions in her mind while closing her eyes. The other Emerald felt the same sensation as the one that was concentrating her whole thought to the game, immediately understanding the urgency to continue.

Feeling the silent reassurement from her sister, she became slightly more confident about her current choice. She squinted. In an initially slow build-up, but later-swift move, she picked the block and recoiled from her sitting position. A muffled cracking noise could be heard from her mouth. The relaxing Emerald also released her hand folding stance, rather taken aback that she pulled the move she would do, too.

There was a moment of silence. The Emerald who did the daring move, took the first notice of this glorious moment.

“Holy crap…”

“...the tower still stands.”

Damn sure it stood out just fine! Both Emeralds sighed in relief, and the one who just took the block giggled, which immediately turned into a loud laugh, very glad to make such a ballsy move.

“Hahahaha, man I can’t imagine how yours is going to be next.”

“Heheh, not gonna lie, maybe continuing after this would be impossible.”

“Hey hey~ you were the one saying not to be a downer. Come on~”

“Yeaaaah, yeah I know… but still, I don’t think I would beat your move there, sis. Gotta consider so many factors…” said the leaning Emerald, on the way to finish her lollipop to observe the even-more unstable Jenga tower.

“Take your tim-”

A slight mistake. From mother nature. Or was it a blessing?

Gush of sudden cool wind surely can easily soothe one’s mind after all the stress in the world in their own comfort zone. But not in this one.

First it started from the most top, then as the top blocks flew away from the table, followed the center blocks of the tower.

The Emeralds gasped in disbelief, cursing and screaming in their hearts, in unison.

After all those efforts, It’s over. With their new personal record! Shouldn’t they cheer up?

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Well, the karaoke room in the restaurant awaited their trying minds, at least.

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