What is this "work" you speak of?

[squeequeg]

Thanks to minyan, I've found a new way to vacuum the cat while pretending to be productive. You may already be familiar with the iTunes Oracle, but this truly combines the uselessness of that meme with the illusion of actually doing work. I give you:

The iTunes Plot Generator! (Disclaimer: my interpretations have taken on a decidedly fantastic bent. I don't think the songs can be blamed for that.)

Our story begins with: "Risingson," Massive Attack
The heir to some great responsibility, probably a hereditary position of authority, possibly a throne. Despite the song's title, I'm gonna make it a her, because I'm contrary like that.

who is living in: "treasure hiding," Cocteau Twins
Exile, possibly with many others who fled her home with her and many of the resources of her family.

and spends time: "Take On Me," a-Ha
reading comic books training, in hopes of being able to face whatever the invaders might throw at her.

while longing for: "月と王子" -- this is the Katamari Rap from the Katamari Damacy soundtrack
an opportunity to yo! ha! get up! . . . By which I mean that she is tired of sitting on her hands and wants to actually do something.

In her troubled past, she: "Lullaby," Tom Waits
has realized that Daddy is never coming back, and that if anything about her situation is going to change, it'll have to be her that changes it.

and since then, she has: "Been Caught Stealing," Richard Cheese (Well, that's pretty obvious.)
tried to lead raids into her home country in hopes of finding support for her cause. Unfortunately, the raids have been unsuccessful, and on more than one occasion the authorities have arrested her.

leaving her conflicted over: "Star Guitar," Chemical Brothers
whether this is likely to go on as a journey that changes only superficially, and whether others feel as she does.

On this fateful day, our hero: "Can You Picture That?" Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem
Ooo...for some reason, I'm seeing Dr. Teeth as a diabolical figure here, more akin to Dr. Faust . . . She meets several students of the dark arts, whose master offers her all sorts of ambitious insane visions, with the promise that it's only her lack of imagination and resolve that holds her back.

which causes this conflict or risks this loss: "Gong," Sigur Ros (Hm. Hard to know what to make of this, since it's in "Hopelandic." Ah.)
The price of it is her own hope of doing this on her own, as she had always been taught she was meant to do.

She resolves to: "Atlantic City," Bruce Springsteen
compromise what's left of her morals in order to risk the chance for a better future.

but fails to: "Is This What Everybody Wants," Solaris soundtrack
realize that what she desires might not be the best for her country.

intensifying their conflict by: "Go DA DA," Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex soundtrack
hiring a kazoo band upping the ante in this nascent civil war, thus leading to an increasing sense of menace and absurdity. (Strangely, that's what I get from this track -- it's a repeated kazoo chorus over percussion that becomes louder and more ominous, like some huge malevolent clockwork winding up.)

Pressures build until: "Cloudbusting," Kate Bush
the leader of the occupation arrests her, citing the powers she's allied with as cause to imprison her.

At this crucial point, she chooses: "Flash Gordon," Queen. (Aw, hell.)
to save not just her supporters, not just her kingdom, but every one of us! She turns her back on the dark powers and somehow manages to expel or negate them. Based on the song, I'd say she does this as showily as possible, and using a lot of gold lamé.

and the story resolves with: "Aijo," Varttina
Her attempt only partly succeeds, and she is wounded by the diabolical doctor's poisoned knife. However, with what strength she has remaining, she curses him, driving his ilk from the land.

Hmm. A little heavy on backstory, way too melodramatic, and I'd need to flesh out the actual events, but that's not bad at all. (And yes, I did manage to get some work done today.)

Comments

[stealthmuffin.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Credit really should go to minyan, who came up with it all on her own.

I'd also recommend the Evil Overlord Plot Generator. (http://sff.net/paradise/plottricks.htm) I've actually sold one story that came straight out of using it.