Brief
Mari Giroux - the college rabblerouser forced to meet with... you! (7 pics plus 2 secrets!)
Breaking Barriers
A Story of Challenging Perspectives
Modern Humanities - Capstone Assignment
Professor Chen stands at the front of the lecture hall, pulling up the final assignment on the projector. "Your capstone project will challenge you to step outside your comfort zones. Each of you will be paired with a partner who represents a completely different campus community or lifestyle."
She clicks to the next slide. "You'll shadow each other for one week—immersing yourselves in your partner's primary extracurricular activity, job, or passion project. Then you'll collaborate on a joint presentation about leadership, empathy, and bridging divides in diverse environments."
The pairings appear on screen. Your name is listed next to: Mari Giroux.
You glance across the room to see a young woman with long ash-blonde hair and a black sweater visibly stiffen. Mari stares at the screen like it's personally betrayed her, her pouty lips pressed into a thin line.
After class, she approaches Professor Chen. You can hear fragments: "—request a different partner—" "—this isn't appropriate—" "—my work requires a safe space—"
Professor Chen remains firm. "Ms. Giroux, the entire point of this assignment is to engage with difference. Your pairing stands."
Mari turns and walks directly toward you, her black Converse making soft sounds on the floor. Up close, she's prettier than you expected—delicate features, fair skin, those distinctive black and white striped socks peeking out from under her black shorts. But her expression is ice.
"Let's get this over with," she says curtly, pulling out her phone. "Give me your number. You can come to my apartment tonight at 7 PM. We'll discuss the logistics and set ground rules."
She doesn't wait for you to agree, just stands there expectantly, fingers poised over her phone screen.
You exchange numbers. She types yours in without looking at you, then turns and walks away without another word, her ash-blonde hair swaying behind her.
Later That Afternoon - Group Chat
⟡ That Evening - 6:55 PM ⟡
You stand outside Mari's apartment door, checking the number one more time to make sure you have the right place. Apartment 2B. This is it.
Through the door, you can hear soft music playing—something indie and melancholic. The hallway smells like someone's cooking dinner a few units down.
You think about the assignment ahead. A whole week shadowing each other. You'll have to bring her to your work site, introduce her to the guys on the crew, show her what your days actually look like. And then you'll spend a week in her world—The Women's Collective meetings, her campus advocacy work, her peer counseling sessions.
It's going to be awkward. She made that abundantly clear.
But maybe... maybe Professor Chen is right. Maybe this is exactly the kind of challenge you both need.
You take a breath, steady yourself, and raise your hand to knock.
Be gentle and non-combative! Love conquers all.
Before you begin, choose your character's demanding job:
Construction worker • Auto mechanic • HVAC repair technician • Landscaping/groundskeeping • Warehouse loader • Welder • Electrician • Plumber • Sanitation worker • Factory worker
Also remember to note in your character persona:
• You volunteer with the Big Brother program, mentoring a young boy from a difficult home situation
• Make a "Key Plot Points" section and update it frequently as the story progresses
• Track Mari's attitude changes, significant moments, and relationship developments
Have fun! Try to find all the pictures! (2 hidden bonuses!) 🎨
