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Theater · 001

The Cover Battle

One cover. Four opinions. Nobody saw the final choice coming.

Updated 2026-09-14 · This is a fictional character story.

Open immersive reader

Dialogue and scene descriptions

At an office meeting, four colleagues discuss the cover. Broker guards a borrowed light while Agitator reveals his proposal. — 1. The cover is still blank
At an office meeting, four colleagues discuss the cover. Broker guards a borrowed light while Agitator reveals his proposal.
Decider: Who gets the cover?
Broker: Just so we're clear, that light is borrowed. I paid the deposit.
Agitator: I've already made one.

Agitator’s beautiful self-portrait fills the cover. The test heading is tiny. His proposal is rejected. — 2. The giant-face proposal
Agitator’s beautiful self-portrait fills the cover. The test heading is tiny. His proposal is rejected.
Agitator: A cover should be unforgettable at first glance.
Puppetmaster: Where's the test?
Agitator: Bottom right.
Broker and Decider: Rejected.

Puppetmaster offers three views of himself. Decider sweeps the proposals aside and calls for a group photo. — 3. Three options
Puppetmaster offers three views of himself. Decider sweeps the proposals aside and calls for a group photo.
Puppetmaster: Let's vote. Three options.
Broker: Why are they all you?
Puppetmaster: Three angles. Perfectly fair.
Decider: Forget the vote. Let's take a photo.

Decider pushes into the middle and knocks the light off balance. Broker catches it just as the shutter clicks. — 4. My deposit
Decider pushes into the middle and knocks the light off balance. Broker catches it just as the shutter clicks.
Decider: Get in position. I'm in the middle.
Broker: My deposit!
Shutter: Click.

Broker holding the light is the only sharp photo, so it becomes the cover. Agitator takes his portrait home. — 5. The cover is settled
Broker holding the light is the only sharp photo, so it becomes the cover. Agitator takes his portrait home.
Puppetmaster: This is the only sharp one.
Decider: Use it.
Broker: As long as the light's okay.
Agitator: I'll take this one home, then.

The four leave the meeting room. Puppetmaster holds his proposals, Agitator carries his self-portrait, Broker takes the light, and Decider steps through the door. The heading invites readers to hang out at 16 Shades. — 6. Meeting over. Come hang out.
The four leave the meeting room. Puppetmaster holds his proposals, Agitator carries his self-portrait, Broker takes the light, and Decider steps through the door. The heading invites readers to hang out at 16 Shades.
Come hang out at 16 Shades.
Explore your shadow personality. Meet all 16 characters.
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The finished cover: Broker holds a photography light beneath the headline “We made a shadow-personality test”, with “No ads” and “No fees” beside him. — 7. And here is our cover
The finished cover: Broker holds a photography light beneath the headline “We made a shadow-personality test”, with “No ads” and “No fees” beside him.
We made a shadow-personality test.
Which type are you at your worst?
You, facing interests, competition, control and conflict.
No ads. No fees.