Previously: Blue Baby, Baby Blue.
I suspect that the Maiden’s Gamble ritual doesn’t have any sort of historic or folkloric precedent; it seems to have been a product of Reddit, which means that it’s more like, say, 11 Miles or Channel Infinity than the Elevator Game or One-Man Hide And Seek. It’s an interesting story, though, in that it puts the reader in the shoes of the protagonist — that is, it stars you.
The rules of the game, though, can easily be pulled out if you do actually want to try playing it. Which, of course, isn’t recommended… but then again, you wouldn’t be here if you tended to go along with what’s recommended, would you?
A note: The Reddit post about the game has a few… odd stipulations in it. In this version, it’s strongly recommended that the participants be in a heterosexual relationship; additionally, the whole thing cleaves very closely to traditional gender roles: The woman is, by default, Participant 1, while the man is, by default, Participant 2. (This, I expect, is where the name of the ritual comes from.) It notes that the role performed by the genders can be swapped, as well as that participants of other orientations may attempt the ritual, but states that “these divergences can yield unpredictable results, and are highly discouraged.”
[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]
However, I think these stipulations are unnecessary in our modern world. If the ritual is meant to test the strength of your relationship, then I don’t believe it to be based on gender or orientation; I believe it to be based on trust, love, and the participants’ ability to work as a team. I would argue, therefore, that any “default” setting is bullshit. The “default” isn’t important — but what is important is that the players decide together who will be Participant 1 and Participant 2, that they be in total agreement about these roles, and that they be clear on and in agreement with what they each must do once they have taken on these roles. I strongly suspect the ritual would only yield “unpredictable results” if you went into the whole thing without there being the strongest of love and the strongest of trust between the participants.
I’d be curious, by the way, to see how this ritual might be adapted for those in polyamorous relationships; after all, a simple pair isn’t the only kind of loving, trusting relationship in the world.
But as always — regardless as to what type or kind of relationship you have — play at your own risk.
Players:
- Two participants. The participants must be in a long-term romantic relationship with one another. It is recommended that the participants share a home.
Requirements:
- A public restroom.
- A sharp object. A pocket knife is a good choice.
- Two time-keeping devices (one for each participant).
- A strong and unshakeable love for one another.
- A strong and unshakeable trust in one another.
Instructions:
Before You Begin:
- Decide which principal will be Participant 1 and which will be Participant 2.
- Make sure you are both in agreement, re: participant numbers and all actions required of each participant number.
- Proceed accordingly with the correct set of instructions for your participant number.
Participant 1:
- Begin shortly before midnight.
- Take up your sharp object and one time-keeping device. Bring them to the public restroom in which you have chosen to perform this ritual.
- Before entering the restroom, say goodbye to your partner. Make it meaningful, and make it true. Communicate to them how much you love them. Communicate well, and communicate wisely, for this may be the last chance you have to share your heart with them.
- Enter the restroom alone.
- Enter a stall. Lock the door.
- At 11:59pm, use your sharp object to carve the following phrase on the inside of the stall door: “[Your partner’s name] loves [your name].”
- Rotate in place, moving counter-clockwise, and repeat the words, “My lover has another.” Speak these words a total of 66 times, revolving in place all the while. Complete this step before your time-keeping device reads 12:01.
- If there is no change in your surroundings: The ritual has failed. Do not proceed.
- If a long, red corridor appears behind you: The ritual has succeeded. You may proceed. Follow the corridor as far as you can. What other option do you have? The lock has vanished from the inside of the stall door; it’s on the outside of it now. It’s not as if you could leave, even if you wanted to.
- When you can go no further, wait.
- When 24 hours have elapsed, and it is midnight on the following night, travel back through the corridor and return to the stall.
- Wait.
Participant 2:
- Begin shortly before midnight.
- Take your own time keeping device and go with your partner to the public restroom in which you have chosen to perform this ritual.
- When your partner says goodbye to you, listen to them closely. Take in their message, wholly and completely. When they enter the restroom, bid them farewell.
- At midnight, begin keeping track of the time.
- Go home.
- A person who looks like your partner will follow you home. This person will be the best version of your partner — the one who looks exactly as you wish they looked, who shares and supports all your interests, who caters to your every desire, who has no flaws whatsoever.
- This is not your partner. This is the Other.
- For the 24-hour period between midnight tonight and midnight tomorrow, the Other will follow you wherever you go. They will use any means possible to convince you to leave your true partner locked up where they are. Aren’t you much better off with the Other as your partner instead?
- Resist the Other.
- Be vigilant. The Other will not physically harm you, but they can be very persuasive. All bets are off, and every tool and strategy may be used.
- Do not underestimate the Other.
- At the conclusion of the 24-hour period, you have a choice: Return to the public restroom, enter it, find the stall with the lock on the outside of the door, unlock it, and open it; or, leave your true partner where they are and stay with the Other.
- It is NOT recommended that you stay with the Other.
- Make your choice.
The Moment Of Truth:
- Participant 1: When you hear the lock slide free, open the stall door.
- What do you see?
- If you see your partner, you have successfully completed the ritual. Your life together will be long and happy; fortune will forever smile upon you both; and through thick and through thin, your love will hold steadfast and true.
- If you see nothing but an empty room, with no way out and nowhere to go but back down the long, red corridor…
- I’m sorry.
- I’m so sorry.
Additional Notes:
It is NOT recommended that the following participants attempt this ritual:
- Participants who have been in a relationship for less than one year;
- Participants who have recently experienced severe difficulties in their relationship;
- Participants who own a business together;
- Participants who have one or more pets together;
- And/or participants who have one or more children together.
To attempt this ritual under any of these circumstances may result in catastrophic failure — and the participants aren’t the only ones who will suffer for it.
If You Successfully Complete The Ritual:
Congratulations!
Do not return to the public restroom in which you performed the ritual ever again.
The Other will not be happy to see you.
***
Follow The Ghost In My Machine on Twitter @GhostMachine13 and on Facebook @TheGhostInMyMachine. And don’t forget to check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available now from Chronicle Books!
[Photo via StockSnap/Pixabay]
I have a question;
If, suppose, Participant 2 was in an accident during the 24-hour-period and can’t come to open the door, can he/she send someone on their behalf to open the door?
WOW!!! Super interesting ritual. I have a lil theory. 😀 what if the Other is just using participant 2 to get outta there and trap participant 1 to become the Other? This is kinda like one of those ‘love test’ games, but as a disguise for freeing spirits… :0
What if Participant 1 gets left behind by Participant 2, then a new Participant 1 preforms the ritual in the same bathroom? Would they be able to see the previous Participant 1(s) in the corridor?
If the other truly fufills the participant’s wishes, could the participant make the other do the ritual to swap out with another other?
I have a few queries-
-what happens if you are participant 1 and you are in the bathroom stall and you ‘do not proceed’? Do you just go home? Do you stay?
-what if you tried to kill the Other? Would that do anything? Could it help you?
-Is it possible that if your lover chooses the Other over you, do you become the Other?
‘You wouldn’t be here if you went along with what’s recommended,now would you?’
Nah I just find it interesting and I have to read the thing before seeing the FAQ.-.
You still can get out the door though if the door is not all the way down on the ground.
cough *american stalls* cough
MOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDD
So when exactly will the other appear? Will it be immediately in your vision or will you have to walk outside or something first?
So if Participant 2 decides to stay with the other and it’s goal is successful to persuade them, will the other harm participant 2 now that it’s achieved its goal or will it continue life normally with them?
So can you reopen the door early or does it have to be 24 hours? If so does it have to be exactly 24 hours as in if you miss it even by a minute it’s over or can you arrive and open the door a few minutes after exactly 24 hours? And (sorry for the long question I just want to be exact is all) but if you can’t be even a little late can you be like a minute early say open the door at 11:59? Or does it just have to be on the dot 24 hours no more no less? And if it does have to be on the dot and you open it early, I know what happens if late but if early what will happen? Again sorry for the long question I just want to be sure about details is all.
Could I, as participant 1, bring a book or some such to pass the time?
Would I be in any danger myself before my partner makes the choice?
Must I remain at the end of the red hallway until my partner makes their choice?
Also working on adapting this to a polyamorous version because I’m poly myself, I’ll put a link when I’m done!
Sorry if my question sounds confusing but I was just wondering!
If you are Participant one, if your partner fails to release you when the time comes do you become another Other?
Most likely so… then when the ritual is next attempted by another couple you have 24 hours to seduce participant two. If you succeed, you are free, participant one becomes the new Other. Fail, and you stay an Other
My sister played this with her boyfriend and the ritual succeeded. They are together now, living out their lives happily and at peace. It was clear to me, the moment that he came through the front door, holding my shaking twin, that they would marry each other someday. I’ll gladly toast them when the day comes.
Did you watch him open the door?
Okay, so is the Other like stalking the spouse (Participant 2)? And, can the Other harm Participant 2 while stalking/following or if Participant 2 chooses the Other, can the Other harm Participant 2 in the relationship?
What will happen if the 2nd Person stays with the other? ( will the other stay with person 2 or will they disappear )
The other is just trying to get out of the red corridor, they are not really interested in the 2nd person.
Will most likely break up.
This is honestly sad. Like literally, hearing the door unlock, you open it hoping to see your boy/girlfriend but instead see nothing but an empty room. You’d probably think that your boy/girlfriend went with the other. Waa I wanna play but I don’t wanna loose my Oppa.
You can steal another one later if you are summoned.
would the double use intimidation to prevent the participant from going back? for example would they morph into anything terrifying or threaten to harm the participant?
What happens if you choose to stay with the other?
She is most likely not interested in you. She just used you to get out of the corridor.
So she’ll rather break up with you (if you are lucky) or something worse…
What happens to someone who’s trapped in that corridor forever? Not only will the feelings of sadness and fury be great, but I’d be scared as to what hypothetically could happen to me.
Yeah, this game is definitely a NO for me. Never playing this. Like, ever.
Probably a good idea to just follow the rules.
What happens if you’re in a polyamorous relationship and you want to play the game?
Umm maybe pick the one you’ve been with for longest?
I have some questions:
Though the Other can’t physically harm Participant 2, but can they intervene or stop Participant 2 from going back to their partner? Like locking them in the room, etc.
And can the Other mess up with the time-keeping device and/or the clock in your house? This doesn’t count as physically harm, as it only delay/mentally deceive the Participant 2’s perception of time. If the Participant 2 can’t go back to their partner in time, in this case, the Other will win for sure, right?
The Other is trying to get your partner, but she/he wouldn’t cheat. This probably won’t happen
I think that the point is that P2 has to stay with the Other because of his own will, I don’t think the Other is able to force someone to something…
Will this work instead with like, a best friend, or a family member? Like a dad/mom or a sister/brother, or someone you have an unshakable bond with that you aren’t with romantically? Honestly really interested in this but, I don’t trust relationships, even ones that have lasted longer than 2 years.
It won’t work then. It must be someone that you love deeply and romantically. The bond of romanticism and trust is nearly unbreakable and close friends and family just aren’t good enough regardless if any of you would turn on each other or not.
if you are participant 2 can you sleep at any time during the 24 hours or do you have to stay awake?
This is like a romantic horror ritual. A mixed genre. But this is just my thing. Love mixed with horror. Will give this a shot on Valentine’s Day. That will perfectly set the mood.
A few questions:
What happens if Participant 2 choose to stay with the Other? Will it reveal itself and punish Participant 2? Or stay that way forever? (that is, until Participant 2 pass on or what not)
I’d like to think that it becomes a girlfriend/boyfriend from hell that wouldn’t leave Participant 2 alone.
What happens to Participant 1 when his/her partner doesn’t come back for them?
I’m going to go with the ongoing theme that Participant 1 becomes the Other which then tries to replace other people’s partner who took part as Participant 1 ._.
It actually does seem to come to a full circle this way. Participant 1(s) who got betrayed becomes the Other, and punishes Participant 2(s) who did not stay faithful.
No, I don’t think she would punish you, just be a girlfriend, but I do think that the betrayed Participant 1 could become the other Other.
what happens if you stay with the Other?
Well then, your girlfriend/wife/whatever is stuck in Hell. Well done you.
When it says participant one is supposed to follow the corridor until they can “go no further” does that mean the corridor reaches a dead end? Or is there something.. else.. preventing you from continuing forward?
I’m sure it just means that you must walk until your legs can no longer carry you. At that point should you return back to the stall to await the unlocking of the door.
What kind of stuff should Participant 1 do and not do while in the red corridor?
It’s just a large waiting period. Walk as far as you can to pass the time, then once it has come close to the end of the waiting period, return to the stall and wait for the door to unlock. There isn’t necessarily anything you CAN or CAN’T do, except walk the corridor or sit in the stall.
I have a question what if your partner decides to go with the other but like 3 minutes later regret that decision and decided to open the door you perform the ritual in with you be free or will you still be stuck there?
It’s too late. The portal closes. Its not like you can reopen the portal it’s a one time thing
I like to think that it stays like that for 1 minute after the 24 hours, and 1 minute only.
These types of games are so interesting to read about!! I have a few questions though: what happens if participant 2 stays with the Other? Will this be harmful for both participants? Also, say that participant 2 choose participant 1, and not the Other, and they decided to do the ritual again except participant 2 became participant 1. Would anything bad happen if they decided on doing that? I am a big fan of your website 😀
I am so obsessed with this site. I can’t get enough of it & neither can my siblings. We stay up late reading the games, wondering what would happen if we ever played any of them— which, quite frankly, never would happen. ?Anywho, thank you for feeding my inner thrill-seeker!
So what happens to the boy if he chooses the double?
Every remnant of his partner will be destroyed, including possessions, pets, children etc
Risky. Not worth risking your life for that.
What exactly is in the corridor if you end up trapped? It doesn’t look menacing or anything. Also, can you use the sharp object to kill yourself if you’re trapped?
Umm, if you’re trapped? Sure, I guess you can die, you’re now stuck in Hell.
This game is so sad! I mean to open the door and no one be there and be trapped in there forever!!!!!!??????????????
Yes, until another person tries to beat the game and you play the role of the perfect girlfriend/boyfriend version.
Then you have 24 hours to seduce the other person and make the fiancee your substitute in the red corridor.
I had to fight my double for my girl.
So you’ve done it, eh?
Kinda sounds fun but me being me, I’m forever alone.
What happens if you wind up in the room with only way out being down the corridor?
Nothing good. Technically it’s just an endless hallway, not necessarily a “way out.” Who knows what kind of fate you’ll have there. The possibilities are literally infinite, you could starve out and die under natural circumstances, be abducted by a supernatural force, etc.
It isn’t a way out, it’s a path to where the Other resides. So basically, a hallway leading to Hell.
I wonder what happen if you choose to stay with the other. so she will live with you forever? or what?
Oh Jesus. This was alot darker than I thought it would be.
Could you imagine opening the door to find an empty room?
All those feelings you would experience?
The realization, that this means your lover whom you thought you had an unbelievably strong connection with, has now betrayed you by cheating on you with someone who is a perfect version of you (whatever that may be), therefore leaving you to whatever fate awaits you, them wanting this to happen to you or not Caring what happens to you, & of course, the realization that you don’t know what will happen in there.
but whatever it is, you are stuck there (forever as far as you’re concerned) there’s nowhere to go, and you can only hope that you are alone.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR A LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(horror fan squeal)
You mean you’ve been waiting for this particular game to be posted here or just this type of game?