Story research: The "People Remote" part two

[Weird Harold]

In an earlier thread, I asked what the buttons on a remote control would do if they affected people.

(The previous thread)

This is a list of the available buttons on the remote I decided to use as a model, what they do in real life, what they do in the story if I've already decided, and how the character knows it worked. Please add any suggestions you have even if someone has already given a suggestion.

I doubt that even half of the buttons will get used in the story -- or at least not in detail -- but I need to get a handle on what the remote can do even if I don't tell the reader's everything.

The list:
The buttons,
what the buttons does IRL,
What the button does to people,
how does the user know it worked?

1: Power,
Turns selected device on/off,
puts subject in a coma (standby) or wakes them up,
They collapse/Wake up.

2: TV
Selects TV remote key assignments,
???
???

3: CABLE
Selects Cable remote key assignments
???
???

4: VCR
Selects VCR remote key assignments.
???
???

5: Help
displays brief onscreen (often unhelpful) explanation of the next button pressed.
Same
Subject speaks explanation.

6: Home Theater
Displays onscreen menu of Home theater sound mode choices
???
???

7: TV/VCR
Switches selected device between "Pass Through" and "Source" mode.
???
???
8: PIP
Toggles Picture-in-picture display -- ON/Upper right/Upper left/lower left/lower right/OFF.
???
???

9: SWAP
Switches Main screen and Picture in Picture sources.
???
???

10: MOVE
Allows arrow keys to position PIP window to other than a standard "four corners" position
???
???

11: FRZ (freeze frame)
Captures one frame of video, does not affect audio
???
???

12: Rewind (<<)
Rewinds VCR -- not affected by device select.
???
???

13: Play (>)
Plays videotape -- VCR specific, not affected by device select.
???
???

14: Fast Forward (>>)
Fast forwards VCR -- Not affected by device select.
???
???

15: Rec (Record)
Puts VCR in record mode -- not affected by device select.
???
???

16: Stop
Stops VCR record/playback -- not affected by device select.
???
???

17: pause
Pauses VCR -- Stops video and audio record or playback -- not affected by device select.
???
???

18: Menu (program)
Brings up onscreen progamming menus. (configuration menu on TV, record Programming menu on VCR.)
???
???

19: Left/Right/Up/Down
Menu navigation keys or "Favorites" select arrows. TV Only -- not affected by device select.
A: Left/Right (menu)
Enter or leave submenus
???
???
B: Up/Down (menu)
Move through menu/Select values
???
???
C: All (Favorites)
Move through selection grid of pre-programmed favorite channels
???
???

20: Exit/cs (commercial skip)/Recall
exits menu mode, engages selected device commercial skip mode, displays/clears channel/time/etc. display.
???
???

21: Vol (up/dn rocker)
Increases/decreases audio level.
???
???

22: LST-CH (Last Channel)
Switches back to the previous channel selected (toggle effect between two channels.)
???
???

23: MUTE
Turns off sound to speakers.
Causes/cures laryngitis in subject
Subject's mouth moves but no sound comes out.

23: Channel UP/DN (rocker button)
Steps through (active) channels in numerical order in indicated direction.
???
???

24: Numbers 0 -> 9
Varies with active function -- usually direct channel access, but sometimes menu choices or time values.
???
???

25: INPUT
Switches TV from tuner through Aux inputs 1 -> 3.
???
???

26: Sleep
Sets "sleep timer" in 30 minuted increments -- selected device shuts off at end of time set (if it has a sleep mode).
Toggles Subject in and out of sleep/trance. (Probably NOT hypnotic trance.)
Subject goes to sleep or ignores surroundings except for the remote.

 

[wildsweetone]

i think i'll print that list off
will get back to you tomorrow, give or take 6 months WH
man, you americans sure have big remote controls!

 

[wildsweetone]

i have a feeling you want the actions to relate to the existing use of each button, is that right WH?
this is more difficult than i thought.

still editing and working on it

*edited to take out rubbish*

 

[Weird Harold]

i have a feeling you want the actions to relate to the existing use of each button, is that right WH?
this is more difficult than i thought.

still editing and working on the below ideas.

Something related to the labels on the buttons at least. There will be a few "PUNish" functions, just to confuse the issue a bit.

PIP for example, could just as easily be "Push In Pussy," or "Pecker In Pants" as "Picture In Picture."

SWAP could be a shortcut to "swinger mode" or just a "change partners" command for an orgy.

"this is more difficult than i thought." -- see why I asked for help?

 

[wildsweetone]

you know, it might be better to go from a different angle...

what category are you aiming your story to be in? it sounds like you've already thought along the lines of one.

 

[Weird Harold]

you know, it might be better to go from a different angle...

what category are you aiming your story to be in? it sounds like you've already thought along the lines of one.

Mind Control, but it might wind up in Humor and Satire. It pretty much depends on how quirky I get when I settle down to actually write it.

The main characters are "Mom" and "Junior" although they aren't related -- She's "Mom" bcause her initials are M.O.M. and He's "Junior" becuse he hated the fact that his father had a stupid name and was too egotistical not to saddle his son with it too.

There will be a strong element of "tongue in cheek" and sillyness, but it's basically a mind control story at heart.

 

[Weird Harold]

PS to all you other authors and lurkers...

This is NOT an exclusive collaboration with WSO.

All suggestions are welcome -- even some silly ones if you're so inclined. Even bad suggestions help.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

A few suggestions

The list:
The buttons,
what the buttons does IRL,
What the button does to people,
how does the user know it worked?

OK, here are my ideas, Harold!

6: Home Theater
Displays onscreen menu of Home theater sound mode choices
Makes person recite menu of Role Playing choices.
Partner suddenly wears a uniform.

11: FRZ (freeze frame)
Captures one frame of video, does not affect audio
Same effect as a pube collar
Woman will notice that her lover will stay hard for as long as she likes.

14: Fast Forward (>>)
Fast forwards VCR -- Not affected by device select.
Woman starts sucking faster/man starts fucking faster.
If done right, the feeling of pleasure will increase.

21: Vol (up/dn rocker)
Increases/decreases audio level.
Increases voice volume.
The partner's voice goes from whisper to scream.

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: A few suggestions

OK, here are my ideas, Harold!

6: Home Theater
...
Partner suddenly wears a uniform.

...

All good ideas, except this one is "magical" instead of "technological." As weird as the concept already is, I don't need to add magic to the mix.