This is the fifth part in an interactive story/game based on my paintings.

Want to play? This is how you can play along: **read the story**, **choose an option** on how you think the story should continue in a comment. You may **add three words** that come to your mind in the comment - I try to include as much as possible in the next chapter. Feel free to **upvote and/or resteem**: much appreciated! Stay tuned for the next episode!

Read [Episode 1 here](https://steemit.com/art/@marty-art/being-steel-an-interactive-story-pt-1).
Read [Episode 2 here](https://steemit.com/art/@marty-art/being-steel-an-interactive-story-pt-2).
Read [Episode 3 here](https://steemit.com/art/@marty-art/being-steel-an-interactive-story-game-pt-3).
Read [Episode 4 here](https://steemit.com/art/@marty-art/being-steel-an-interactive-story-game-pt-4).

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A big thank you to @fraenk, @niko3d, @elainetheinsane, @deemarshall and @veryspider for playing the fourth episode!
Option 1 (bluff your way into being a freak) got four votes,
Option 2 (leave the freak-show in a normal way) got one vote;

The option for Steel to bluff himself into joining the freak-show received four different options by the players:
Of course, I'm a freak I... _have balls of steel_ by @fraenk
Of course, I'm a freak I... _am a human hedgehog_ by @niko3d
Of course, I'm a freak I... _am the reincarnation of a hawk_ by @elainetheinsane
Of course, I'm a freak I... _am a human resource specialist_ by @veryspider

I let the dice choose one option randomly, so read on tho see which bluff was played by Steel!

@deemarshall chose option 2 and included these words, which I'll try to include anyway: _freedom, escape_ and _pregnant_.  Could be good!

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<center>**Part Five**</center>

_Here's quick recap for anyone so unfortunate to tune in to this story as it proceeds in such an unrealistic way.  Truth is stranger than fiction they say, and that's the truth, so that makes it even stranger._

_I'm Steel, I'm on the run for a crime I most definately did commit, but don't want to get jailed for.  Fleeing town I ran into a travelling freak-show, and I got lucky the freaks didn't suck my blood, but instead, their boss, a dwarf asked me to join them on the condition that I truly am a freak.  When I fell in love with a jester from the show, I knew had to bluff my way in._

_-"I'm the biggest freak you'll ever meet, mister," I said slowly and solemly. "Mister?"_
_-"**Freedom**," the Dward replied, "Morgan Freedom, that's my name.  I know it's weird, but, hey, we're all freaks here.  So, c'mon, what's your special talent?"_
_-"I am a human hedgehog. Wait until you see what happens when I sneeze..."  I had no idea where that idea came from but I liked it.  It was all or nothing now._
_-"Hmmm... Alright, it's a bit hard to market, but I guess you're in.  Welcome to the club.  Your life as you knew it is over.  This is your new home!"_

_And with that, all the freaks rejoiced and roared and celebrated - I was their newest member and they hailed me amongst them as if I was their long lost brother, the prodigal son returned home.  Just before they smothered me in their arms, the dwarf, Morgan Freedom whispered: "Just don't get anyone **pregnant**, ok kid?"_

_I didn't get a chance to talk to the Jester that evening.  I got carried around, got drowned in booze and had to perform in silly dances which I will never describe as long as I live.  The day of festivities turned into a wild evening, the evening into a hedonistic night and by morning, everybody lay stoned, drunk or just really tired, scattered troughout the fields._

_When I heard footsteps coming towards me, I managed to open one eye.  The Jester stood in front of me.  "**Escape**," she whispered, "escape, while you still can."_

<center>https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWYKo6fhg2kBRB5WNBeyEFdzUr3GMuPcqhzniz1UcT6Xi/jester_st5.jpg</center>

<center>_(Ideally I would've presented a new or different painting here, but as I have none fitting this episode, I give you a detail, a close-up, of "the Jester".)_</center>

**Now, choose an option how you'd like to see the story continue:**

Just before I falling asleep, I managed to...

**OPTION 1**: ..._romantically whisper back: "I will never leave, now that I've found you, love of my life."_
**OPTION 2**: ..._smugly mutter back: "Hey, the party's only started, why would I leave already, hon?"_
**OPTION 3**: ..._cowardly get on my feet and escape, just like the Jester advised._
**OPTION 4**: ..._passionately kiss her._ 

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Choose your option in a comment! The option with the most votes is how the story continues (alongside one of my paintings) and feel free to include up to three words with your choice. Next episode should/could come in 48 hours of this post. It may be sooner or later, depending on how much time I can find. Have fun!