The first time I met Frank, I did not know his name.
His mouth was a speaker and his eyes were tape reels. Allison had drawn him and we decided we liked him, despite him looking a little tripped out and confused at what existence meant at all for a humanoid recorder.
Then he came to Allison in a new way.
He had dreams. Curiosities. Wishes.
He wanted a name.
“Frank.”
It didn’t mean a thing. But it stuck. He felt fine about it.
Frank enjoyed taking himself apart, more as a hobby to begin with. His eyes had the ability to record sound, but he lacked the ability to walk, so he tinkered with different pieces of equipment, disassembling old radios and objects that were much older than…well, however long he could remember being alive…
until he had made himself a body to travel and record wherever he pleased.
He loved the sound of the wind the most, something he could not see but would make the trees move.
He loved the birds in those trees, how invisible they were unless he looked long enough in the direction where the sound came from.
He loved the sound of rain on the window at night while he sat and read books. Who had left these books behind, and whose house this was he did not know.
This was his home. He felt fine about it.
This is the end of this story.
It’s really just me (Jude) making sense of Allison’s sketches during a time we were developing artwork for The Process and kept wondering who this robot was.
Then I met Evan Conway.
Evan is a programmer and musician. He had developed Tea Time With Millie with his sister Allison.
I enjoyed their game so much it got me thinking about a game where anyone of any age could learn how to assemble a story using narration, sound effects, and music.
That game is out now.
It’s called Frank and Cory Make a Story, and we’re very proud of it.
You’ll need a desktop or laptop to play. Please give it a try and let us know what you think. It’s recommended for ages 8 and up, but there is some difficulty that younger players may want assistance from their parents.
Family play is encouraged. This is an adventure that can be enjoyed together.
Have fun.
Jude, Allison, & Evan