Think of yourself and your fellow players as the brilliant minds behind scene and script or plot and dialogue development for your favorite dramatic medium - be it novels, films, afternoon soaps, theater or comic books. Prepare to flip perspectives to move the action forward.  Then bring the game to a close with a multi-perspectival shift.

What’s Worse gets dramatic.  But don’t worry.  What’s Worse is fun and thought-provoking even when everyone plays themselves.  It isn’t about character acting per se -- unless you’re into that!

SETTING UP THE SPACE

• Playing for the first time? Print Worst Case Cards, Focus & Direction Cards, and Flow Table.
• Mix up (randomize) and lay out the four Focus Cards side-by-side in a line.
• Shuffle and stack the Worst Case Cards upside down. Put to one side.
• Have ample paper and pencil handy for writing. Have the Flow Table handy as well.
• Have Role Die and two numbered dice available. (See OPTIONAL below for digital resources.)
• Give each player a set of three Direction Cards -- one each Habits, Thoughts, & Emotions.
• Toss the dice. Highest number takes the Lead Role first. Play proceeds clockwise.

HOW TO DO A WHAT’S WORSE? DIALOGUE

LEAD ROLE PREPARES

1. Toss number die to determine the Focus.

   

2. Referring to the phrases on the Focus Card that is in the leftmost position, count down from the top to find the phrase that corresponds to the number tossed. If you reach the bottom of the card before finishing, continue counting from the top. Mark the selected phrase with a paperclip.

3. Turn over the Worst Case Card that is on top. Cover the bottom half of the card with scrap paper so only the top half is showing.

4. Toss the Role Die.

5. As other actors prepare, Lead Role considers what statement to make to start the dialogue. It should combine your:

   1. Focus indicated on the first Focus card.
   2. Trait indicated on the top half of the Worst Case Card.
   3. Your Role according to the die.