Say No More and a Short Story by Herman Melville
Mastering the art of saying “no” is the hardest skill of all. #literature #videogame
Welcome back to Artcade, where we leap from dystopias to superheroes to office interns in the blink of an eye (well—two weeks, if we’re honest). Spread the word to your best friends (and even the so-so ones) about the oddities happening here: this art-and-videogame carousel spins once a week, and the more riders we have, the better the ride. Enjoy the read!
In answer to my advertisement, a motionless young man one morning, stood upon my office threshold, the door being open, for it was summer. I can see that figure now—pallidly neat, pitiably respectable, incurably forlorn! It was Bartleby.
[…]
I resolved to assign Bartleby a corner by the folding-doors, but on my side of them, so as to have this quiet man within easy call, in case any trifling thing was to be done.
[…]
It was on the third day, I think, of his being with me, and before any necessity had arisen for having his own writing examined, that, being much hurried to complete a small affair I had in hand, I abruptly called to Bartleby. In my haste and natural expectancy of instant compliance, I sat with my head bent over the original on my desk, and my right hand sideways, and somewhat nervously extended with the copy, so that immediately upon emerging from his retreat Bartleby might snatch it and proceed to business without the least delay.
In this very attitude did I sit when I called to him, rapidly stating what it was I wanted him to do—namely, to examine a small paper with me. Imagine my surprise, nay, my consternation, when without moving from his privacy, Bartleby in a singularly mild, firm voice, replied, "I would prefer not to."
Bartleby, the Scrivener is a short story by Herman Melville—worlds away from the high-seas epic of Moby-Dick. Here everything is light, subtle, almost weightless. Bartleby’s first act of mild insubordination leaves his employer so baffled that he lets it slide. Little does the lawyer know: things are about to get worse.
Some days passed, the scrivener being employed upon another lengthy work.
[…]
Poor fellow! thought I, he means no mischief; it is plain he intends no insolence; his aspect sufficiently evinces that his eccentricities are involuntary. He is useful to me. I can get along with him.
[…]
But this mood was not invariable with me. The passiveness of Bartleby sometimes irritated me. I felt strangely goaded on to encounter him in new opposition, to elicit some angry spark from him answerable to my own.
[…]
"Bartleby," said I, "Ginger Nut is away; just step round to the Post Office, won't you? (it was but a three minutes walk,) and see if there is any thing for me."
"I would prefer not to."
"You will not?"
"I prefer not."
I staggered to my desk, and sat there in a deep study.
Herman Melville (1853) Bartleby, the Scrivener [Literature] [Short Story] Putnam's Monthly
Between Bartleby and his boss forms a strange bond, built on courteous yet inescapable refusals. With minimal dialogue Melville lets us glimpse its depth. Page after page, “I would prefer not to” becomes a whole worldview, a tiny gesture that holds Bartleby’s entire life.
Say No More is all about being an intern. First you pick your look and choose how to say ‘no’ in any language you like (see below).
Each language even has two different intonations, so you can match the one that fits your vibe. Only after locking that in do you face your new job.
At first your big-grinning boss seems merely obnoxious, but soon you realize you won’t survive long without the power of no. Luckily a mysterious mentor—disguised as a motivational cassette—comes to the rescue.
With practice you’ll unlock frigid, fiery, lazy, or flamboyant NOs and annoy coworkers by striking sarcastic poses or laughing in their faces. Results come quickly.
Say No More is every intern’s dream.
Studio Fizbin (2021) Say no more [Video game] [Casual] [2 Hours] (Nintendo Switch) [Windows, macOS, iOs] Thunderful Publishing
Information Desk:
Originally published in Putnam’s Monthly Magazine, Bartleby, the Scrivener got little notice from critics or readers. Today it ranks among literature’s most influential works (see the BBC’s 100 Most Inspiring Novels list) and one of the most analyzed—thanks to its tricky interpretations.
If you want to read it you can find the original version online: part one and part two.
“We met in kindergarten and now we make video games together.” That’s how the tiny dev team behind Say No More introduce themselves in a six-minute mini-doc on the game’s creation. Worth a watch here.
My last two coins
As kids, saying no comes easy—often it’s the first word we manage. Legend says I started my own language journey with a flat refusal. Then we’re taught it’s rude to say no, better to play nice than spark conflict. Adolescence exists to reclaim rebellion. After that—well, everyone exits adolescence differently.
I wonder what kind of teen Bartleby was. If I could corner Melville, I’d skip the usual Moby-Dick questions and ask: Tell me about Bartleby as a child, right up to his teenage years. Please.
Until the next episode, ciao!