The Game

  Chapter 21

  “Joining me today in the studio is Brandon Strayne. Brandon, it’s great to see you again.”

  “Thanks, Lisa. It’s good to see you as well.”

  “Brandon, I know your time is short, so let me get right to the questions everyone is asking.”

  “By all means.”

  “Trew Radfield is 11 years old in the Game. We have witnessed some exciting developments since he started this play, but the event that’s being talked about the most is his meeting with Danielle Benton at his ninth birthday party. Did the two of them spend credits to attempt another relationship in the Game?”

  Brandon smiled secretively. “We learned our lesson the first time on that scenario, Lisa. We spent no credits on this play to get them together. Of course, I can’t speak for Alex or her camp. If she did arrange for a meeting, I’m glad that this time it worked out for her.”

  “Trew is doing very well in the rankings so far. Can he keep it up?”

  “Of course he can. The first week is pretty slow, and already he’s doing well. Scoring floats all over the place as the players do their thing, but a strong start is important and Trew has started very strong.”

  “Can you give us any inside strategy or big events planned for Trew’s next few years?” Lisa asked.

  “I could…” Brandon said. “But do you really want me to spoil things? Of course you don’t. If Trew lives as long as we hope, there will be much excitement over the next couple months. We all know it averages out to about one Tygon week for each decade of life, although the time passes a bit differently for each decade. He lived to the age of 74 on his last play, so if he’s able to do that again, we can expect another six weeks or so of fun! I can tell you to watch very closely on Trew’s 40th birthday. Something big will happen then. But don’t tune out until that day… there’s a lot of aggressive stuff leading up to that, and it’s already started.”

  “So he’s going for it? He’s going to try and finish ranked #1.”

  Brandon smiled, saying nothing. He knew the audience would fill in the blanks he was leaving with their own opinions. Some would say for sure Trew was going for it, while others would swear he was going to play it safe.

  “And what about rumours that Danielle has an Eternal watching over her?” Lisa asked.

  Brandon leaned back comfortably in his seat. “Lisa, for as long as the Game has been played there's been rumours about Eternals. People say Eternals are avatars that have been inside the Game since the beginning, hence the title ‘Eternals.’ It’s also said that Eternals can’t be Firsted or viewed on any channel, and that they have special powers. Some retired players have come forward and claimed that achieving a high enough player ranking unlocks a ‘Purchase Eternal’ option on their gaming menu, but they say the cost of purchasing one is too high to ever make the purchase. Over the years, there have been incredible events that occur inside the Game and people often claim Eternals are involved. Some think they are angels, and some think they are demons. But this is the 30th anniversary of the Game, and fans are expecting to see many wonderful things during this celebration. Maybe if Eternals do exist, we will see them step forward.”

  “But you created the Game, Brandon. Don’t you know about every aspect of it?”

  “The Game is pretty big, Lisa. I don’t think one person can know every aspect of the Game. I do know most of the major points, though.”

  “So, “ Lisa said, “Do Eternals exist? Or no?”

  Brandon paused dramatically, then leaned towards Lisa. She also leaned forward, as if Brandon was going to whisper a secret just for her to hear.

  “I have no idea,” Brandon said. “But if I’m ever able to confirm that they do… I will give you the exclusive.”