Luke slowly got out of the virtual reality capsule he was laying in. A lazy rub of the eyes and he got up to wash up - like any cleanliness loving individual would. After 10 hours of Alternative Reality.

That’s right. The world renowned virtual reality massive multiplayer game. First of its kind. And probably the most successful game in history, spreading around the globe faster than a bad viral video. Didn’t need any help from nonsensical jokes and self-mutilation either.

The first few weeks after its release, quite a few critics made fun of the game’s name as un-original. Stale. Boring even. But do you hear any complaints now, after one year? Nope. Not a whimper. Excluding the ones who either can’t afford it, have no time for it or are simply paranoid. A clique of people who see it as a big ol’ illuminati conspiracy to control mankind with cheap, addicting entertainment. Yep, they’re still the reason for everything everywhere.

Just a few months ago, Luke could have been considered to be one of those few exceptions. He stubbornly refused to join the mass hysteria over Alternative Reality. Since the poor fella wanted to be an individual. One who didn’t follow local trends. Yet, after being bombarded from every direction with positive feedback, he finally gave in. Yes, he was now a proper addict. One of many.

Sadly though - he died in-game, thus he couldn’t log back in for the next 24 hours. Or … 23 hours, 57 minutes and 15 seconds.

Most drowning in denial and self-loathing game addicts would already be banging their heads against a wall in anxiety stricken frustration. But Luke was different. He had a purpose. And a free day would only serve it in a different way, than playing Alternative Reality all day long.

Luke. 25 years old, living alone in a 2 room flat - bought by his parents. Gaining temporary monetary support from them as well, due to a certain arrangement. Totally independent. Living a man’s dream. His dream.

Once he washed his face, Luke made himself a sandwich and decided to leave for work. Yep, he also worked part-time. An interesting occupation to add.

What Luke worked as, was a customer service inspector. A licensed one. Wasn’t really hard getting one. He just needed to sign some forms given by his sponsors, a few tests and done. Though the company that hired him seemed so shady, that for the first three months Luke was sweating all over. Fear of not getting paid constantly haunting him. That or getting a visit from the local authorities. But after half a year the fear went away and he started to enjoy his simple and unique job. Though it might be that proper pay-checks played a big part in all that.

What he basically did was - enter any local institution, be it a restaurant, a store or even the mall and cause trouble. Not the kind where you break stuff though. He wasn’t some underground kingpin’s underling. Or at least that’s what he was hoping for. Even if he would become one, with non-existent muscles – violence would have been an embarrassing venture.

Resuming the job description – Luke simply pretended to be an unsatisfied customer everywhere he was able to.

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He slipped on the floor at the local mall and complained about it to any personnel being close enough to hear. He complained about the food being over or under cooked. No shoe size for his large feet? Complain to the manager.

Heck, if possible, he even tried making a scene. Which, sometimes did not turn out too well. People do get offended easily after all and beating up a shabby looking 25 year old always seemed like the best way to shut him up.

But Luke was persistent. One or a pair of black eyes never did stop him. Luckily for him, the dark bags under his eyes usually helped with that. Reporting the staff for poor and violent service served as a pleasant addition as well.

Thus, he carried on with the job. Got a promotion. A pay increase and open work hours. Now he just needed to fulfill his weekly quota and all was well.

Didn’t make him the most favorite person in the big city. But since it was so densely populated - he would rarely get recognized even while visiting the same place twice. Unless he’d bump into the same person he drove nuts a few days ago. Those encounters rarely ended well. But so did most situations Luke got into. Life was never easy on him.

Once Luke was done with his sandwich, he changed clothes - standard dark blue jeans, a short sleeved shirt. An average pedestrian. Perfect disguise. That and he didn’t really have a wide variety of clothes to wear outside. Never did enjoy shopping. Or people. Or spending money. Or being outside.

The plan was to spend the rest of the day pissing people off and then going to sleep early. The 24 hour wait would be gone in a blink of an eye. Only a few bruises and an uneasy night’s rest away.

Once out, Luke got stuck searching for the keys to his apartment. During which an unexpected and quite unwelcome vibration disturbed his pants. The hot, presumably - twenty-year old goth girl next door, who just happened to be leaving her apartment at the same time wasn’t the reason for it either.

No. It was Luke’s mother. Calling just at the right moment as well.

“I swear, sometimes I think she’s psychic…” – Luke mumbled under his breath as he looked at the phone, before answering it.

“Hi mom” – He said and resumed his desperate search for the keys.

An unpleasant look from the goth girl. She never did seem to like him. One could only wonder why. He was never loud, slept early enough. Never complained. Never talked at all for that matter. He didn’t even know her name.

“No mom. I’m fine. Yes, I’ll visit as soon as I’m able” – Luke continued to reply, unable to take the keys out of his inner pocket, where he finally found them.

Maybe he smelled badly. Heck, he’d check but, Luke doubted that kind of action would help the awkward situation much. Though, once the girl went around him in a wide ark and climbed down the stairs, he did indeed take a whiff. Maybe a quick shower before leaving would have been a good idea.

“Yes mom, thanks. Don’t worry. Look, I’m late for work, I have to go. Alright. Goodbye.”

With a heavy sigh, Luke gave the door a final check and left the same way the goth girl left. Not to stalk her of course, or fantasize about her later at night. That wasn’t Luke’s style at all. He was a self-respecting, self-efficient grown-up.

The stairs were simply the only way down and out of the apartment building.

Sadly, Luke had numerous experiences over his short, yet arduous lifetime, during which he was misunderstood. Shunned. At the center of attention in an unpleasant way. Time passed, he got used to it. But every now and then, resurfacing memories did make him squirm.

Maybe that’s why he turned out the way he is. Maybe those were just pointless justifications. None could say. Though many would think they know better. Of course - knowing Luke’s nature, he didn't care much about any of it. He had a purpose in life. One that he was prepared to pursue for as long as it takes, however it might turn out.

To succeed at Alternative Reality.