The Game (20 page)

  “Told me what?” Trew asks.

  “Well,
boyfriend
, my Mom got transferred to a new position and location. I’m moving to Canada next month. Toronto, to be exact. Less than a couple miles from your house. Know anyone willing to spend time with me to show me all the cool spots?”

  My speakers almost shatter at his whoop of delight!

Chapter 37

  Of course the Game works. Or it doesn’t. It all depends on what side of the argument you want to come in on. Ask a kid who fails out of the Game at 15 and they’ll tell you the Game is horrible, but ask an 18 year old who retired from the Game able to get a good job, house, and a sizeable bank account for her efforts; she’ll say the Game is an incredible opportunity, both for learning and for advancement. When a citizen of Tygon places a bet on a player in the Game and wins, they are much happier than if they lose. No matter what type of system we have, there will always be those who support it and those who attack it. The fact is, this world of ours was heading towards ruin before the Game came along. Are we perfect now? Well, of course not. But we’re still here and thriving as a society. I’m happy to come and defend the Game in the face of any attacks. And to those who step forward to attack me, I say; you are welcome, my friends, even though you are too bitter and angry at yourselves and what little you have accomplished to thank me. There is always an angry bully who comes along to kick over the beauty that others are building. I’m glad those people are not the majority.

Interview excerpt from “The Game: Twenty-Eight Years Online”

  Brandon Strayne interviewed by Melissa W.

  The mood in Zack’s command central office was extremely positive. There was a cake in the centre of the table with 20 candles in it and the message ‘Happy 20th Trew!’ written in icing. Monitors in the background showed Trew and Danielle partying with their friends and family; the joy and happiness on the screens also showed on the faces of those inside the Tygon command centre. After just a little over two weeks of Game play, with many stressful moments and almost no sleep, the combined team took a few moments to enjoy themselves and celebrate their accomplishments so far.

  As the two inside the Game left their families and went out to party at a favourite bar, Brandon called for order and began a brief recap meeting.

  “I know most of us are so focused on our own particular areas of speciality that we don’t always get to see the big picture. So let’s hear how our kids are doing overall. Michelle, would you please bring us up to date?”

  “With pleasure, Brandon.” Michelle stood up and moved to end of the long desk, opposite where Brandon and Lilith sat.

  “First off, I’m happy to report that Trew and Danielle are both happy, healthy, and alive.” This statement brought cheers and applause. It was extremely common for the players to still be in the Game at 20, but everyone in the room had seen enough in their careers to know that it could have been tragically different with just a little bad luck.

  “From a fan base perspective,” Michelle continued, “Zack is now officially one of the most popular players of all time. He’s surpassed many of the top veterans and preorders are flooding in for his current play. Millions of dollars are being deposited for the opportunity to First him when he completes this session. His one channel has been expanded to three in order to accommodate the number of viewers following him. Merchandise is through the roof! You name it, people are buying it, as long as it has a picture or slogan from Trew on it. If any of us were actually able to go outside of this office and mingle with the population, (this comment drew laughter from many), then you would see that Trew’s name is on the lips of most people. Speculation on what’s happened so far, what might be coming next, and how it might all turn out are the buzz of the world, as well as of the media.”

  Michelle paused here to allow for cheering and applause.

  “Alexandra,” Michelle continued, “Is also enjoying incredible success.” The small group of team members who had come on board from Lilith’s team were very vocal in their cheering at hearing this. The rest of the crew smiled and cheered as well, it had been a very smooth transition bringing the two teams together, due in large part to Michelle’s strong leadership. “If Danielle continues on her current track, Alexandra will finish this play with more credits and ranking than she had at the height of her career. It’s safe to say that she’s played this game better than any other player given a free play in the history of the Game.” This announcement was followed by more energetic applause. On the screen beside Brandon, Danielle and Trew were toasting each other with shot glasses in hand, almost as if they could hear Michelle’s positive update.

  “The Eternals surrounding the two appear to be laying low, for the most part. Besides the one appearance of Carl, we haven’t observed any Infernal involvement at all. No one can ever be sure how these cards will play out, but as of right now everything appears fine.”

  Lilith looked briefly at Brandon and he nodded slightly to indicate things were as good as they could be in this area.

  “The both of them are now in University and College, and excelling in their studies. Trew threw us all for a confusing loop by minoring in Theology, but he’s still majoring in Political Science, so we’re confident he’s on track with his outline to become a politician. Danielle is majoring in Biology and Kinesiology, with a strong focus on Eastern medicine. Both of them remain focused on their ‘life is a game’ theory, but they also realize they soon have to go out and earn their way in the world, so they are doing their best to get training that will land them jobs to pay the bills.”

  “Yet the skills they’re learning are also in line with their idea of a computer game.” Brandon observed. “Is there any chance that their belief in the Game will disappear?”

  Michelle shook her head negatively. “No, not really. Maybe if they hadn’t met and seen each other display the Talent. Perhaps if they hadn’t found George’s book at the time they did. But knowing Alexandra’s outline and Game strategy now, I’d say it’s impossible for Danielle to lose faith in her theory, and Trew has spent so much time with her that I would be very surprised if he lost faith either.”

  “That’s very interesting, what you just did there, Michelle,” Brandon said, sitting forward quickly as if an important thought had just occurred to him.

  “What did I just do?” Michelle asked.

  “I asked about their belief, and you replied about their faith.”

  “What’s the difference?” Michelle asked.

  “If I tell you I can jump ten feet straight up into the air, what would you say?” Brandon asked.

  “I would say I don’t think you can,” Michelle answered.

  “Then you have no faith in my ability to do it,” Brandon nodded. “But after you watch me jump ten feet into the air…”

  “Well, then, I would have to believe you,” Michelle said.

  “Mhmm,” Brandon said. “So which is stronger? Which one can you bet on? Belief or faith?”

  “Belief,” Michelle answered. “If I have seen you jump ten feet into the air, then I will bet on you being able to do it again. If I have never seen you do it, then I would have to rely on faith that you can. That’s a riskier bet, because I could be wrong.”

  “That’s right. Combine faith and belief and you have something very strong, which is what Trew and Danielle are doing regarding the whole ‘we live in a game’ situation.”

  Michelle shrugged, “Yes, I guess so.”

  Brandon looked around the table, his eyes going wide with excitement. “Can anyone in this room see what’s happening? Anyone have a guess what these two are actually up to in the Game?” Everyone looked confused, not knowing what Brandon was asking. “What happens if I show others my ability to jump ten feet into the air?”

  Nadine spoke up from the left. “Then you give others the belief that such a thing is possible. And you also give them faith that similar things can be done.”

  “Yes!” Brandon said. “Now what if Trew and Danielle begin to show others believable evidence to support their claim?”

  “Then people will start to believe them,” Michelle ventured.

  “Yes, and then the people who believe them will begin to share their faith as well. Now what happens if the person sharing the evidence is a charismatic leader?”

  “Uh-oh,” Nadine said.

  “Uh-oh is right,” Brandon said. “Michelle, Trew’s minor in University is what?”

  “Theology,” Michelle said.

  “I wonder if they even know what they’re planning yet?” Nadine said.

  “What? What are they planning?” Michelle still didn’t see it.

  Lilith saw it, and she spoke up to let Michelle in on the theory. “They are going to make their belief in the Game into a
religion
, dear,” she said.

  Michelle looked at the two avatars dancing close in the club.

  “Oh, damn,” she said.

Chapter 38

  If a tree falls in the forest and no one’s around…does it make a sound?

  That’s an interesting question, I suppose. Here’s a better one. If something happens inside the Game and no one views it…did something actually happen?

  Incredible events happen every moment inside the Game, and it’s common for no one to ever know they occurred.

  How is this possible?

  Easy.

  At any given moment, there are millions of players inside the Game being viewed…by absolutely
no one
.

  Author unknown

  I walk through the front door, smiling and taking a deep breath. I love libraries!

For the books? Hahaha, hell, no. Why would I love libraries for the books? You can find books everywhere today. You don’t even have to leave your house to get one delivered or digitally downloaded.

  No, there are more interesting things in libraries than books. Are you watching me? Can you hear me? Then come along and I’ll show you what I’m talking about. Keep your eyes open and pay special attention. Perhaps we’ll be fortunate enough to find one today.

  This library is nothing special, just a regular library in a regular town. A stereotypical librarian looks up from behind her desk and smiles as I make eye contact with her. That’s right, miss, I’m just a regular middle aged man walking in to check out your books. It’s best for you to believe that, dear, because the truth of who I am
really
am would make you throw yourself in front of oncoming traffic to escape your terror.

  I head for the stairs; I like to work my way down from the top floor. I’ve visited countless numbers of libraries and have developed a nice routine. I hear telltale sounds from the main floor, over by a corner table, but I don’t break my ritual. It’s been weeks since I’ve had any luck. If it’s on the main floor, then I’ll be back and find out soon enough. I’ve come to savour the process almost as much as the successes.

  The top floor is the kids’ section. It’s rare to find one in the kids’ section but let me tell you, when I do have luck there, it’s the best of times. Not today, though. A quick walk up and down the aisles turns up nothing. After a leisurely stroll, I head to the next level.

  Computers and cubicles on this floor. I walk slowly past the backs of the tiny enclosures, letting my hand gently touch each one as I pass by. I can feel the warmth and faint hum from the computers at the desks and hear the dull silence of the people sitting behind each computer screen. Quietly I observe each person as I stroll by. Look at them
—
they’re barely here. Glassy blank stares, half open mouths, ridiculous headsets covering their ears as they listen to some idiotic song or video or movie. I want one of them to lock eyes with me. Come on, slags!
Look
at me! I want to scream at them as loud as I can and ask them why they’re sitting here wasting their play. There’s no game inside that stupid little box that can compare with the one you traded your life force and hard-earned credits to play. ‘What are you looking for?’ I want to yell at them. ‘It’s right in front of your face, stop looking past it. Don’t make it so complicated, children. The simplest answer
is
the answer.’

  But none of them look up. They’re lost. It’s a Thursday afternoon and here they are, sitting mindlessly in a library. For a few minutes I walk back and forth past the lines of dull computer people like a caged tiger. Watching. Waiting.

  I sigh. No, nothing here that interests me.

  Down to the main floor I go. Around the edges rest the shelves of old, often forgotten literature. Off to the left is a glass-walled room, sound proofed for audio books. In the centre of the main floor are the tables. This is often where I find success, the tables. It seems to draw them, like moths to a flame.

  One table has a teenage girl wearing headphones and typing away on her laptop. Nicer headphones than the drones upstairs; she’s better than them. Her eyes are clear and she looks to be actually doing something productive on her computer. Good for you, darlin’.

There are two empty tables beside her, then a table with two mothers. They are talking while their children recline in strollers. One child throws a plastic cup onto the floor and the mother doesn’t stop talking or break eye contact with the other one, she simply bends down and hands it back to the child. Amusing to watch. As I walk past, the child looks at me. His blue eyes sharpen in alarm. What’s wrong, little fella? See something that bothers you? I appear to smile kindly at him, but it’s not truly a kind smile. He begins to cry, waving his arms towards his mother, looking for protection. His eyes dart to mine, then frantically back towards his mother. I shake my head. It’s okay, little boy, I’m not here for you today.

I hear the sound again and look to my right. There are three tables out of the way behind a row of bookshelves. I lean over at the waist and take a quick peek; It looks like we are in luck today.