Games From The Grave - Concentrate
Concentrate is a game that many people (myself included) seem to have played in some shape or form as children. But it appears that the majority of us were not playing the version in its entirety.
To play, you will need:
One player
One guide
The words to the ritual
You can play Concentrate at any time. To begin, the guide must stand behind the player, facing their back. Meanwhile, the player must face away from their guide and close their eyes. At no point should the player open their eyes again until instructed.
The guide begins by making their hands into loose fists and lightly pounding on the player's back in a steady one-two-one-two rhythm. Following this, start to say or sing:
[CHORUS]
Concentrate, Concentrate
Concentrate on what I'm saying
People are dying, Children are crying
Concentrate, Concentrate
[VERSE 1]
Crack an egg on your head, let the yolk run down
Let the chills run up, let the yolk run down
Crack an egg on your head, let the yolk run down
Let the chills run up, let the yolk run down
As you speak, there are actions that coincide with certain words. On the word 'egg', lightly tap on the top of the player's head before running your fingers down your spine on 'let the yolk run down'. As you say 'let the chills run up', run your fingers back up their spine. These actions are to be repeated any time the phrases occur throughout the song.
Repeat the chorus, including the pounding on their back
[VERSE 2]
Squeeze two oranges on your shoulders, let the juice run down
Let the chills run up, let the juice run down
Squeeze two oranges on your shoulders, let the juice run down
Let the chills run up, let the juice run down
On 'oranges', lightly squeeze and twist the player's shoulders. Other actions are the same as above.
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 3]
Stick ten needles in your sides, let the blood run down
Let the chills run up, let the blood run down
Stick ten needles in your spine, let the blood run down
Let the chills run up, let the blood run down
On 'needles', stick all ten fingers into the player's sides. Other actions are the same as above.
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 4]
Stab a knife in your back, let the blood run down
Let the chills run up, let the blood run down
Stab a knife in your back, let the blood run down
Let the chills run up, let the blood run down
On 'knife', lightly pound a single fist into the centre of the player's back. Other actions are the same as above.
[CHORUS]
[VERSE 5 – allow for possible rhythm changes here]
Wrap a rope around your neck, wrap it 'til it's tight
Wrap a rope around your neck and -
PULL
On 'rope', mime wrapping a rope around the player's neck but do not actually touch them.
On 'pull', push down lightly but sharply on their shoulders.
Hold the player by their arms, lean in and whisper the following in their ear:
You are standing on a building
You are out on the ledge
You're feeling very dizzy
You're close to the edge
And someone
PUSHES YOU
On 'pushes', shove the player sharply but lightly. Enough to throw them off of their balance but not enough to cause them to fall.
At this point, following the guide's instructions, the player should open their eyes and immediately describe what colour they see.
The colour guide is as follows -
Red: Stabbing
Blue: Drowning
Yellow: Poisoning
Orange: Fire
Green: Falling
Purple: Asphyxiating
Grey: Illness
White: Old Age (and will go to Heaven)
Black: Old Age (and will go to Hell)
Brown: Buried Alive
