Reading through the script source and looking at what actually happens: If the variable you are checking does not exist at all, both *if s72ca* and *else* do not get selected. Renpy skips the whole section entirely.
This leads to confusion, because you have no idea why Jane is now face down on the couch.
You might want to start setting these event variables in the chapter select, either defaulting to the straight and narrow, or letting you choose.