Alvin Lustig, textile design “Incantation”, 1947. Via Cooper Hewitt.
Cosmic Coffee Break from the SNES game Earthbound (1994):
Throughout this game as the story progresses there are multiple occasions where a character will offer you a chance to drink a cup of coffee.
You can choose yes or no.
If you say yes, you get to stop and put everything on pause and just have a goddamn cup of coffee and reflect on your life.
The screen dissolves into a cosmic pattern, dreamy music starts to play, and text scrolls up the screen. An unnamed narrator talks to you about this moment in your life. It helps you to remember what you’ve done so far and what you need to do next.
There is no other video game like this one.
You’ve traveled very far from home…
On your way, you have walked, thought and fought. Yet through all this, you have never lost your courage. You have grown steadily stronger, though you have experienced the pain of battle many times.
The journey from this point will be long, and it will be more difficult than anything you have undergone to this point. Yet, I know you will be alright. When good battles evil, which side do you believe wins? Do you have faith that good is triumphant?
One thing you must never lose is courage. If you believe in the goal you are striving for, you will be courageous. There are many difficult times ahead, but you must keep your sense of humor, work through the tough situations, and enjoy yourself.
When you have finished this cup of coffee, your adventure will begin again.
I wish you luck.