View source for G.K. Chesterton's Conversation Piece

{{gameinfobox
|designer=Simon Katan
|image=Conversationpiece.jpg
|players=20
|stuff=Twenty scripts to be printed off
|crew=One.
|preparation=Ten minutes + 5 minutes for explanations
|time=Ten minutes.
|place=Anywhere
|activities=Acting, deduction.
|status=playable
}}

An irreverent cocktail party game for hyperactive socialites. Do some rapid socialising in order to locate likeminded conversationalists but be careful — you wouldn't want to get stuck with a bore!

== Game Set-up ==

Download the scripts from the link below and print off four each of 1-4 and two each of b1 & b2 onto thick paper or card. Fold into a booklet, shuffle and distribute to the 20 players who are playing the game. It's advisable to have one game master who keeps time and checks that no-one is cheating or just plain confused !<BR><BR>

{{handout
|file=ConvPieceScripts.zip
|image=
|caption=
}}

== The Game ==

The majority of you, like G.K.Chesterton, are erudite conversationalists par-excellence.
Following the strict conventions of polite discourse, you must hold conversations in order
to locate your like minded conversationalists and be the first to form a group of four.
But be warned ! Some of you are interminable bores. If so, it will be stamped all over
your script. The chances are that any conversation you join will descend from the sublime
to the mundane. Once a group of conversationalists has you in their midst, the
only way they can get rid of you is to start a conversation with another person and hope
that the group splits up. You must try to prevent any group of four conversationalists
from forming by continually boring others with your idle blather.

== How to play ==

• Start conversations with any of the opening phrases (see example below). Direct your statements to
people by pointing at them with your cigar.<BR>
• Follow the rules in the table to find out what you say/do next (see example below). Continue to direct
your statements at people in the conversation by pointing at them with your cigar.<BR>
• Once a group consisting solely of 4 likeminded conversationalists has been
formed they must declare themselves the winners by holding up their cigars and
calling out “The gentlemen have it !”<BR>
• If no group of 4 manages to form within 10 minutes of game play then the bores
are declared the winners.

== Points of etiquette ==

• You may not interrupt ongoing conversations. This would be rude !<BR>
• Likewise you may not ignore or leave a conversation once it has been started.<BR>
• In groups of more than two, make sure that all are engaged in the conversation.<BR>
• Keep your scripts secret.

== Examples ==

[[Image:ex1.jpg]]

[[Image:ex2.jpg]]