The Game

  Chapter 23

  “Tygon has benefited from the Game in many ways. Most see it simply as a form of entertainment for viewers and learning for players, but it has become much more than that. Take flight, for example. Before the Big Bang gave life to the Game, Tygon was a flightless world. When the Wright brothers soared through the air inside the Game, it became considered safe and easy to recreate their inventions in real life on Tygon. A few months later, Earth had perfected the technology and we safely began to manufacture our own aircraft here. Think of the comforts that most of us take for granted today, and remember that many would not exist if not for the efforts of players inside the Game. It might be fun for us to watch the lives and history of Earth’s people as they unfold, but we must not forget the other incredible benefits it has brought us as well!”

  Excerpt from documentary “More Than A Game”

  Michelle walked towards her private office. “Get me a clean line to Brandon, please,” She instructed her receptionist and closed the door. She sat down and picked up the phone, waiting patiently for it to ring on the other end. It began to ring a short time later, followed by someone answering it.

  “Yes.”

  “We have a problem, Brandon.” Michelle said.

  “That seems to be the common theme for this play, Michelle. To be expected, I suppose, but still very tiring. What is it?”

  “They found a copy of the book. George’s book.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  “They found a copy of the book which was never made digital and limited to only 100 printed copies, after we did our very best to make sure the world wasn’t interested in it? We paid players to spend all their credits and enter the Game with one purpose… to find and destroy all copies of that book. Is that the book you’re telling me they found?”

  Michelle nodded. “Yes, sir. The very same book. ‘The Game Is Life’ by George R. Knight.”

  “I know it makes no real difference, but for my own curiosity, who found it, Michelle? No, wait. Let me guess. They both found a copy at roughly the same time, right?”

  “That’s exactly right. Used book stores, in different countries, within minutes of each other.”

  Brandon surprised Michelle by laughing deeply over the phone line.

  “Well, it makes sense, I suppose. Watching Zack play as George R. Knight was exciting. He had exceptional success with the business and a great family, all credits well spent. His final couple of years of life were pure gold! The pain and loss he suffered brought the viewers in by the millions, and then when George started writing that book… well, you remember that, don’t you?”

  “I sure do, sir. Tygon fans couldn’t believe it! None of us could believe it.”

  “We knew the concept would be seen as ridiculous. No one on Earth would ever believe such a thing. But just to be safe, we had to eliminate all the books.”

  “Brandon, we’ve been working around the clock to try and factor Danielle into Trew’s play. It appears they are heading towards a romance of some sort, and we can’t predict any serious problems if that does occur. Our simulations actually suggest having her around will help him score higher than without her.”

  “I agree with you, Michelle. But something much bigger is going on here,” Brandon said.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Both have Eternals. They both possess the Talent. The support they’ve shown each other in developing their skill is making them more powerful than a human should be. Danielle has also been fueling Trew’s belief that they are in a big game. We wanted him developing that thought, but we didn’t want him to truly believe it for decades. Now they both find this book? It’s going to reinforce everything they’ve been discussing. When two kids have crazy ideas, it’s one thing. When those kids see other people have been thinking the same things for years, well, that’s when it could get dangerous.”

  “So what do you suggest we do? Separate them? Kill the girl? Let them continue on?”

  Brandon sighed. Michelle could tell he wasn’t as confident as usual. “I’m not sure what to suggest right now, Michelle. I think I need to do that unpleasant thing that I sometimes have to do.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. I think I need to talk with Mainframe.”