Revenge of the Brothers: A Resolution Gone Wrong

Matt Eastland-Jones Hello and welcome to Awaiting Prompt, the AI podcast. Hosted by me, Matt Eastland-Jones...

Nick Short And me, Nick Short.

Matt Eastland-Jones Each week, we'll take a series of prompts and put them into openAI's GTP3, and see what kind of story it spits out.

Nick Short We know how it's going to start, but we don't know how it's going to end. Now, we are definitely not authors.

Matt Eastland-Jones We may need to give the AI a bit of direction on the way, but every single word is going to be entirely generated by an AI.

Nick Short We're just two guys really interested in the technology. We want to see what it can do and have a laugh at the stuff it can't.

Matt Eastland-Jones So if that sounds good, then tune in weekly to Awaiting Prompt. Hello and welcome to the third episode. In this episode, we explore the theme of resolutions and Nick's story is up first.

Nick Short Right, I have my story.

Matt Eastland-Jones Okay.

Nick Short My prompt is 'write a story with dialogue where a crime boss decides their New Year's resolution is to steal from the rich to give to the poor'.

Matt Eastland-Jones You're fucking with me. You are shitting me! My prompt 'write a thriller story with dialogue about an independent MP who's inspired by Robin Hood so decides their new year's resolution is to steal from the rich and give to the poor', end on a cliffhanger.

Nick Short Oh my god.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh my... Okay, so I now need to come with a new prompt because you're going first.

Nick Short Well, we could...

Matt Eastland-Jones No, no, no, he was generated. Let's go with yours.

Nick Short It was New Year's Eve and Marco, the notorious crime boss was reflecting on his life. It had been a year of ups and downs, but he was determined to start the next year off on the right foot. He had planned a nice dinner for the night with his henchmen. But before that, he wanted to take a few minutes to lay out his New Year's resolution. "Gentleman" announced Marco. "I want to start off this new year with a change of focus. I want to use my resources and influence to help those in need. My goal is to rob from the rich and give to the poor". One of Marco's henchmen, Antonio raised an eyebrow. "You mean like Robin Hood?", Marco smiled. "Exactly like Robin Hood, we do our homework, identify the people we want to target, find out how to get our hands on their money, and give what we take to those in need. We can even involve a few charities. It's up to you how you want to go about it". The other men in the room nodded in agreement. This resolution was a far cry from their usual work, but they knew Marco well enough to know that he was serious about it. "Good," said Marco. "Let's enjoy our dinner, and then we can get to work planning". The men all clink their glasses in agreement and the conversation changed to lighter topics. Marco was content knowing that he was going to pursue a new direction in the new year. He was determined to give people in need a better life, and he would make sure that his henchmen were by his side every step of the way. Marco and his henchmen were having trouble with their attempts to help people, each time something unexpected would happen, that would get them in trouble more than they anticipated. For example, when they attempted to give out food and supplies to the homeless, they unknowingly gave items to someone who was actually a criminal. This resulted in them getting blamed for aiding and abetting a criminal and Marco was forced to return the donated items poor face jail time. Did Marco have to give back every item, like they've given out to like 50 people, one of them was actually secretly a criminal and so he then goes back and it's just like having...

Matt Eastland-Jones He's got to take it back from everyone to cover their bases.

Nick Short Other attempts to do good went wrong in a similar fashion. When they tried to anonymously pay a family's overdue bills, they found out that their family was actually involved in a criminal activity, and the money they gave ended up in the wrong hands. They also attempted to donate clothes and medical supplies to a hospital in need. But this plan was foiled when they found out that the hospital was actually owned by a rival crime boss. In the end Marco on his hand from what unable to carry out their goals to help those in need. They decided to take a step back and reassess the situation as they couldn't risk any more legal trouble. Despite the failed attempts, Marco was determined to find a way to make a difference in the new year, even if it meant going outside the box.

Matt Eastland-Jones I'm very interested to see what the AI thinks is outside the box.

Nick Short Okay... 'continue the story with the outside-the-box methods the crime boss uses to help people in the new year'... it's actually just really sweet.

Matt Eastland-Jones Just a wholesome story.

Nick Short This is really wholesome! Marco and his henchmen decided that the only way to help people without getting in trouble was to use their influence and resources to make a difference. They decided to start a business that would benefit the community, such as a grocery store that would offer discounted prices to those in need. They also planned to create a charity that would focus on helping the homeless and those living in poverty. To ensure their success Marco and the henchmen made sure to get the support of the local community. They held fundraisers and charity events and were able to get donations from local businesses and individuals. With the help of the community, Marco and his henchmen were able to start their business and charity, and they were able to make a real difference to the lives of those in need. Marco was proud of what he had accomplished and he was glad that his New Year's resolution had led to something positive. He was determined to continue his influence and resources to do good and he hoped that his example would inspire others to do the same.

Matt Eastland-Jones Lovely.

Nick Short That's not even funny. That's just nice. It's genuinely nice. That's also not that outside the box.

Matt Eastland-Jones No. More outside the box.

Nick Short More outside the box. Let me see. If I up the temperature because I'm on 0.7.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh, I'm always on 1.

Nick Short Oh, right, I'm on 1. Continue the story with dialogue because there was no dialogue in the last one.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh, yeah, that wasn't right and you didn't say getting the story with dialogue?

Nick Short No.

Matt Eastland-Jones Shows how big of a difference it makes

Nick Short I'm going for 'continue the story with dialogue as Marco constructs a ridiculous plan to help people and take down the crime syndicate in the hospital'. Antonio shook his head as Marco outlined his new plan. "Wait, so you want to break into the hospital owned by the crime syndicate and use the money we get to help those in need? That's crazy!". Marco smiled. "It's a great plan. We get to take down the crime syndicate and use their resources to help those in need. Plus, it's a win-win for us because then we can use that hospital as our base of operations for our charitable activities".

Matt Eastland-Jones Is this not just more crime?

Nick Short This is more crime, but it's crime for good. One of the other henchmen, Luigi, raised his hand.

Matt Eastland-Jones It's-a me, Luigi!

Nick Short "But-a what if we get caught? We could be in a lot of trouble". That was more vampire then wasn't it. Marco waved away Luigi's concerns, "not if we plan it correctly, we just need to make sure that our movements and activities don't draw attention. We use disguises to sneak into the hospital at night to get what we need. We also need to figure out a way to get the money out without anyone seeing us". The men all looked at each other and nodded. This was definitely a risky plan, but they knew Marco was right. If they plan it correctly, they could succeed in both taking down the crime syndicate and helping those... It just ends there.

Matt Eastland-Jones Amazing.

Nick Short Right. Well it needs finishing.

Matt Eastland-Jones What are the disguises gonna be? Fake moustaches and plumber outfits?

Nick Short They all... Oh my god, yes, they all come in as handymen. Finish the story...

Matt Eastland-Jones I tested a prompt because I always find the stories always have happy endings. So I gave it a prompt which was end with either a happy ending or sad ending. Basically, I want to give the AI more... I want to give you options like to pick, so yeah, maybe do something like happy or sad ending and see if it picks one or the other. It'll probably pick happy always because it always picks a happy ending.

Nick Short Marco, Luigi and Antonio set out for the hospital in the middle of the night with their disguises in tow. Dressed as plumbers, they snuck into the hospital and made their way to the main office where the money was held. So they're dressed as plumbers...

Matt Eastland-Jones And they went to the main office. Not through like the maintenance hatch or anything like that.

Nick Short Not only that, but they waited till the night and snuck in. Imagine the security guard's walking around and they see three plumbers at two in the morning, just sneaking around in the main office. After carefully picking the lock, they crept inside and started rifling through the drawers. As they were searching they heard movement in the hallway outside the office. In a moment of panic, Marco shoved Luigi and Antonio back into the shadows, but it was too late. A security guard had spotted them and was now shouting at them to get on their knees. Realising that their lives were in danger, Marco made a split decision. He acted fast and launched himself towards the garden, knocking him to the ground and giving his companions time to escape. As the guard pulled his gun and fired Luigi and Antonio ran for the door. But Marco was not so lucky. He was hit by a bullet and lay on the ground, mortally wounded. Antonio and Luigi rushed over to his side and desperately tried to save him, but it was too late.

Matt Eastland-Jones Where did the guard go?

Nick Short The guard just shot him and is now just like, what have I done? The guard is just sat there like "Well, this is awkward." Do you think this was accidentally one of the other members of the gang and he was also... he didn't know what he was doing. He was trying to help.

Matt Eastland-Jones He thought they would be disguised as a security guard. Much more logical.

Nick Short It's crossed lines. Oh God, it was Mario.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh no.

Nick Short My brother! Antonio and Luigi rushed over to his side and desperately tried to save him. But it was too late. Marco had sacrificed himself in order to save them. As he lay there, his last words were my mission was to help those in need. Make sure my sacrifice was for something. Antonio and Luigi solemnly nodded and silently sought to carry out Marco's wish. They finished gathering the money and quickly made their way out of the hospital disappearing into the night. In the weeks that followed, and Tony and Luigi fulfilled Marco's final mission. With the money they had stolen, they were able to set up a foundation that provided food, clothing and medical assistance to those in need. Each day, they came to pay their respects to Marco, the man who gave his life to help those in need and had a grand vision for a better world.

Matt Eastland-Jones What an ending!

Nick Short What an ending. Also, wasn't their plan to like, stop the crime.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh, yeah, they kind of gloss over that.

Nick Short Marco got a shot and they were like "grab the money and run". Oh, it was actually really sweet.

Matt Eastland-Jones It was good!

Nick Short Now that I've stolen your prompt...

Matt Eastland-Jones Yeah, I'm not entirely sure what to do now. I was thinking I could actually still keep the prompt and we see if the AI takes it in a different direction. Or what if we just say just write a story with dialogue about resolutions and see what it does?

Nick Short Okay, so super, super broad.

Matt Eastland-Jones Yeah... John and Maria was sitting on their couch and debating with each other. Maria, "it's already December, John, we have to start making our New Year's resolutions if we're ever going to keep them". John, "I know, I know. But I just don't know what I..." is this another story where every line of my characters is like I don't know? John, "I know. I know. But I just don't know what I should resolve to do this year". Maria, "what kind of thing do you want to get better at? Maybe you could make a resolution to become better at something?". John, "I guess I could make a resolution to learn a new language. That would be challenging and useful". Maria, "that's a great idea. What about me?". John, "What about you? Do you have something that you want to improve on?". Maria, "I want to be more active, I need to start going for walks or yoga classes or something". John, "then let's both do it. We can commit to doing something active once a week". Maria, "I like that idea. Okay, it's a deal". John and Maria shook hands, sealing their agreement. They both agreed that this new year's resolution was going to be the start of something new and exciting for the both of them. They smiled and started to plan out their new routine. Little did they know that the challenges they'd set for themselves would be greater than they ever expected. Oh, it's kind of a cliffhanger.

Nick Short Yeah! I want to know more about this challenge.

Matt Eastland-Jones The limit, though, that we've found so far, is it's always very quick to gloss over certain things. So it will be like, make them endure a challenge and the AI will be like 'they endured a challenge and succeeded'.

Nick Short John was in a car accident. He was fine.

Matt Eastland-Jones Okay. John, and Maria have been working hard to keep their resolution of learning and becoming active for the entire month. Although things were going well. Both of them felt frustrated at times. John, especially was having difficulty with the learning of the language and it was taking a toll on his patience. Maria, "John, I know this is hard, but I really think you should keep going. You're making progress. I know it". John, "I just don't see it. I don't really get it". Maria, "It takes time, John, you just have to be patient". John, "I know. I just don't know. I just don't know if I can do it. I don't think I'm cut out for this". Maria. I think you can take this as a very back-and-forth conversation. Maria, "I think you can do it. I'm here for you. I'll be here to help you every step of the way". John smiled and thanked Maria for her support. Despite the tension that was created due to the difficulty of their resolutions. The couple have managed to stay optimistic. With any luck. they'll both be able to keep their resolutions and become better, more active versions of themselves. But would they actually be able to accomplish their resolutions?

Nick Short Maria seems very supportive.

Matt Eastland-Jones Yes. I think John did very well. He seems to be a bit of a quitter, to be honest.

Nick Short I was kind of worried when it was like, what was it? It was affecting his patients. I was like, he's a really bad doctor then.

Matt Eastland-Jones Maybe that's why he's laying in the language because... I wouldn't say it's the most exciting story.

Nick Short No. All along, John was a werewolf.

Matt Eastland-Jones I'll just give it a massive curveball. Okay, I've got an idea. John was devastated when he found out he'd been fired from work. He'd been taking every opportunity to learn the language but it hadn't seemed to pay off in the end. Maria, "Oh, John. I'm so sorry. I feel like it's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed you so hard". John, "No, it's not your fault. I'm the one who decided to make this resolution. I just wish it worked out differently". Maria, "it's okay. You tried your best. Maybe something else will work out for you". John had given up hope of keeping his resolution at this point. So when he received an email from the old hospital he used to work at offering a job as a security guard. He was taken aback.

Nick Short Oh no!

Matt Eastland-Jones Backstory baby!

Nick Short It's all coming full circle!

Matt Eastland-Jones John, "Wow, I can't believe it. I'm actually getting a job. I mean, it's not like I wanted to be a security guard. But it's still something". Maria, "That's amazing. Congratulations, John!". John smiled, relieved he's still had a job. He hoped that this new opportunity will allow him to put his resolution to action and become the person he wanted to be.

Nick Short I can't do this.

Matt Eastland-Jones This is fun.

Nick Short I'm not ready for my heart to break.

Matt Eastland-Jones For the second time

Nick Short For the second time, Marco! I was not expecting this.

Matt Eastland-Jones Amazing.

Nick Short When he lost his other job at the hospital, do you think it was because he would only speak in that language? Is this the thrilling conclusion?

Matt Eastland-Jones Yes. John had been working diligently as a security guard at the old hospital for months now. One night while on a night shift. He had a noise coming from one of the rooms. He proceeded to investigate. Finding two intruders stealing medical supplies. He was shocked at the situation and before he had time to react he heard the familiar sound of a gun cocking. John, "drop your weapons now!". The intruders hesitates for a moment and John was able to identify one of them. Marco. It'd been years since he'd last seen his brother.

Nick Short No. No!

Matt Eastland-Jones But he recognised him immediately. He had a split-second decision to make and before he had time to think he pulled the trigger, John, "Marco, no!". Marco's body dropped to the ground and John was overcome with grief. He had just killed his own brother. He collapsed to the ground sobbing. Maria, "John, I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now"... wait why is Maria there?

Nick Short I felt this was like cut forward, like that, the next day he's sat there with his head in his hands like in the police station giving a statement and Maria is like...

Matt Eastland-Jones John had failed in his resolution to make something better out of himself.

Nick Short Is that all he was concerned about? My resolutions!

Matt Eastland-Jones His one mistake had cost his brother his life and he was now facing the consequences. All he could do was sit there and cry. Well, Happy New Year, everyone. I mean, the AI got the genre, right. That was definitely a drama. I can see that being on BBC.

Nick Short I mean, also quite like so. As you were saying that. I was kind of thinking one of these is an unreliable narrator. Were they doing good? Or was he stealing supplies? And I thought no Marco was stealing supplies from the bad guys to help his community. But obviously, John only knew what he was doing before that.

Matt Eastland-Jones Because he didn't know about Marco's resolution! And Marco didn't know about John's to learn a new language.

Nick Short Is that what Marco didn't stop? Because John shouted...

Matt Eastland-Jones John shouted 'Marco, no!' in a different language and Marco didn't know what he was saying.

Nick Short He's doing it in Spanish. "Marco, no!". I don't know what he said.

Matt Eastland-Jones Well this is strange though it says...

Nick Short Who had the gun? He heard a gun cocking.

Matt Eastland-Jones Yes. John said Drop your weapons. So Marco had a gun.

Nick Short Marco couldn't understand that!

Matt Eastland-Jones But what's strange is he had a split-second decision to make and before he had time to think he pulled the trigger, so he pulls the trigger, he shoots him and then he shouts "Marco, No", that sort of doesn't make sense.

Nick Short I think there's another twist.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh, you think there's more to this?

Nick Short I think it might be worth putting in one final prompt, to tie both of these stories together. There were two people stealing things. Where was Luigi? I put it to you....

Matt Eastland-Jones So you want me to give it the prompt, 'Where was Luigi?'

Nick Short I put it to you, there were two guns. Only one of them was fired and it wasn't John, that fired.

Matt Eastland-Jones So Luigi betrayed...

Nick Short Luigi betrayed Marco...

Matt Eastland-Jones Because he wanted to be the leader of the gang.

Nick Short He wanted to be the leader of the gang and take it back to its roots.

Matt Eastland-Jones Wow, okay. What am I gonna write in to put that?

Nick Short I put it to you sir... ahh, no, but then we're essentially just writing it.

Matt Eastland-Jones No, no, I'm gonna...

Nick Short Give it some freedom.

Matt Eastland-Jones Yeah. Okay. I just want to ask, 'Where was Luigi?'. 'Where was Luigi, in the hospital during the showdown between John and Marco'.

Nick Short I like it.

Matt Eastland-Jones John sat there in shock, trying to process what happened. He had never wanted to hurt his brother. Before he had time to think he'd already been done. Just then a voice came from behind them. Luigi, "John, it's all right". John looked up to see brother Luigi standing in the door. There's another brother!

Nick Short Brother Luigi sounds like a monk.

Matt Eastland-Jones John "Luigi. How did you...?". Luigi, "You thought you were shooting Marco. But it was actually me. Marco was never here"... What? John's heart sank as he realised he'd been tricked. Marco had set up an elaborate plan for revenge. Revenge on the gang and Luigi had risked his life in order to protect his brother. So Marco took on the identity of Luigi and carried on his story.

Nick Short It was the ultimate disguise. Right lads, we're gonna dress as plumbers.

Matt Eastland-Jones You're gonna dress as me I'm gonna dress as you.

Nick Short And Antonio is just sat there going "huh?".

Matt Eastland-Jones John was filled with shame and guilt. But he also felt an overwhelming sense of relief, that his mistake hadn't cost his brother's life. He hugged Luigi and thanked him for being so brave. John "I'm sorry, Luigi. I'll never make that mistake again".

Nick Short What, to shoot him?

Matt Eastland-Jones No, but Luigi came from behind him, so who had a shot? He hadn't shot Luigi

Nick Short Antonio. That's what happened to him.

Matt Eastland-Jones "You thought you were shooting Marco but it was actually me". As in it was me that was shooting? Marco was never here. So who do they shoot at? Because Antonio was dressed as Luigi that was dressed as Marco.

Nick Short I think John just had a bit of a breakdown

Matt Eastland-Jones Well, I'm not really sure where or how that ended, but it's definitely some...

Nick Short But it was a happy ending all round.

Matt Eastland-Jones I don't think it was, I think John's gonna be in therapy

Nick Short For years.

Matt Eastland-Jones So it turns out if you don't give the AI much it just creates nonsense.

Nick Short Just absolutely shits the bed.

Matt Eastland-Jones Wow, well that was a bit of a roller coaster. I enjoyed that though. I think that was a good one.

Nick Short Brilliant. I love that it all tied off in a neat bow... and then unravelled.

Matt Eastland-Jones And they ended on a cliffhanger. Even though it's finished the story.

Nick Short That's for the sequel. Marco's Return. Marco's Revenge. Ooh, we need to come up with we need some titles.

Matt Eastland-Jones Oh, yeah. Okay, okay.

Nick Short My title is Marco's Final Sacrifice.

Matt Eastland-Jones Okay, mine is Revenge of the Brothers: A Resolution Gone Wrong.

Nick Short That's the title. That has to be it. I love it.

Matt Eastland-Jones Lotta fun. That's everything for this episode of Awaiting Prompt. If you enjoyed it, then please leave us a review and make sure to subscribe so you can stay up to date with all future episodes.