The blinds on the window were shut to prevent any sunlight from leaking into the room. On the bedside table, an alarm rang from the digital clock. A fist stretched out from under the bed covers and slammed down on the clock to shut the alarm off. Hensley began his morning routine the same way every time. Wake up. Shower. Brush teeth. Pour a bowl of cereal and a glass of orange juice with toast as a side. Flip on the wall-mounted flat-screen television to catch up on the local news. He planted his ass firmly onto his spot on the red leather couch and kicked his feet up on the glass coffee table cluttered with magazines and a box of tissues. The gorgeous young newswoman with the long blonde hair and stunning ocean blue eyes prepped her papers on the desk before facing the camera.
“Good morning New Miami. This is Adrianna Justice with your local news here at Channel 42 NMN. Kruger Industries recently unveiled their newest combat vehicle: The WM-35 “War Machine” All-Terrain Tank. The first batch of completed models have already been deployed to Texas to aid in the ongoing border war with Mexico. We’ll be expecting development with the war there very soon. Miami-born governor Jason Veracruz is expecting a landslide victory in the upcoming election, claiming that none of his opponents bring anything to the table that could ‘reshape the state’ or ‘fix any issues he’s currently working on.’ If he wins this will be his fourth consecutive victory in a row. The US government is working on a budget plan to aid in restoring Seattle to its former glory. The old city still remains a wasteland plagued with violence and scavengers following its fall in twenty-thirty-two when the infamous terrorist organization Blackwell detonated a nuclear bomb planted inside the capital building. State residents claim it’s a waste of time and money, and that the city will never recover as the mass exodus that followed left the city abandoned and crumbling. New Miami has seen a sharp spike in gang activity over in West Miami for the past several months. An ongoing investigation into a rumored widespread drug ring seems to be the main conflict here and the police are hoping to finally shut it down by the end of the year. For all the techno-fanatic gamers and escapists out there, be ready to open your wallets for the newest in virtual reality technology. The Parallax 4.0 is set to release this June. Featuring no cords, easy installation and the brand-new Immersion bodysuit to pair with it, you’ll be able to dive headfirst into new worlds and experience what it feels to leave your real body behind for the virtual body you created. Now for the weather-”
Hensley sighed, finishing his breakfast and shutting the television off. He decided to celebrate this new breakthrough by going out on the town. He got dressed into some casual attire; Plain white t-shirt, deep blue jeans and a black Nehru jacket. After tying his black-and-white checkered sneakers, he grabbed the car keys and set off.
The bright Florida sun shone bright in the skies over New Miami. The palm trees swayed in the gentle breeze. Hensley lived in the safe and glitzy district of Miami Springs. Remaining far from the gang violence of West Miami and the rowdiness of Little Havana. The richest and most prominent residents lived in either Miami Springs, Downtown Miami or Gladeview. Most of the city was relatively cleansed of crime during the Lock Down of 2028. Some spots still remain havens for those who survived the purging.
Hensley first decided to visit the Sunrise Mall. He perused a few of the high-end clothing stores and ended up grabbing a new dress shirt and some pants. He next browsed the wares inside the tech store. The newest in phones and other everyday essential technology always fascinated him so he’d peek around every few months to see what’s released. His final stop was to grab a bagel and soda from the food court as a midday snack to satisfy him as he left the mall. A drive along the coast sounded relaxing to Hensley. He popped open the sunroof and lowered the windows, hanging an arm outside the car as he drove and bobbed his head along to the radio. Life felt great for Hensley right now. He couldn’t be happier with where he was at. Soon the entire world would know of his innovation.
One final stop was on Hensley’s agenda; Starlight Barcade. He pulled the car into the packed parking lot until he found a spot. A muted, thumping bass line greeted him from outside as he approached the front doors. He took a deep breath before stepping inside. Bright neon lights. The chattering of people. The clinking of glasses filled to the brim with beer and whiskey. The smell of cigarette smoke in the air. The wacky sounds filtered through arcade cabinet speakers. The throbbing beats and multi-layered keys of technosynth playing throughout the entire facility. Starlight Barcade was truly a different world once you stepped inside. This place had become a favorite of Hensley’s to blow off steam whenever he had the free time and energy from his exhaustive work schedule. He swiped his card at the gate and entered the premises. Before he would get lost in the various arcade games from past and present, he went over to the bar. Behind the bar counter a well-dressed bartender was cleaning out glasses for the next round of patrons.
“I think you missed a spot in that one.” Hensley snickered.
The bartender turned around. The handsome man with a chiseled face, slicked-back silver hair and striking hazel eyes greeted Hensley with a smile. A single gold tooth amongst the rows of bright white teeth.
“Oh, shut it. I know how to clean my glasses, thank you very much professor.” The man replied.
Stolen story; please report.
He and Hensley clasped one of their hands together with firm grips and shook them. Their own special handshake adopted from when they first met. The bartender’s name-tag read: Dodger. Andy Dodger was his name and bar-tending was his game. Hensley and Dodger went back at lease sixteen years since first meeting in college as freshmen. He was Hensley’s only true ‘friend’ since nobody else he knew from back in the day stayed in touch and he became so enveloped into his studies that socializing took a backseat.
“You know what I want Dodger. The usual.” Hensley said, snapping his fingers.
“Comin’ right up friendo.”
“So, how’s business been lately? Been awhile since I last stopped by here. And I know you never want to discuss work outside of work.”
“Been pretty steady. Not much has changed as you can see. Usual late afternoon crowd here. The evening is when business is really booming. Every night.”
Dodger finished prepping the cocktail and set it up on the counter with a wink. Hensley sipped on the drink. He licked his lips, tasting the fruitiness of the alcohol on his tongue.
“Mm. Delicious as always. Well, that’s good to hear. I have some… Quite exciting news. Big. Huge news actually.” Hensley said.
“Do tell.”
“Um, not sure if this is the appropriate place actually.”
“Put it on hold then. I’m about to head on break here in the next five minutes. Go grab us a table, yeah?”
“Sure thing.”
Hensley left to go find an empty table and sat down. He silently observed the on-goings and immersed himself in the atmosphere of Starlight. As if time passed faster then the human brain could calculate, Dodger approached the table and grabbed a seat across from Hensley. He grabbed himself a cocktail to sip on as well.
“Sooo go on! Tell me the huge news my guy! Consider my interest peaked.” Dodger said with a smirk.
Hensley cleared his throat after another sip of the cocktail. He cupped his hands together on the table.
“Remember that project I’ve been working on for God knows how many years at this point? Soul Cage? Well… I finally finished it and presented it to Shimada and he approved it! Project Soul Cage has officially been green lit and is entering the prototype stage for development as of today!”
“No fucking shot are you serious?! Congratulations Hensley! About fucking time, you got it done!”
“Mind you there were a lot of kinks and bugs to work out and adjust. Not to mention how much time my eyes were buried in various books, statistical analysis reports and classified research documents. But it’s finally paying off! Should only be a matter of time before the construct is finished and ready to test out.”
“Does that mean the company will need to start looking for subjects? Because I may know someone perfect for this.”
“Oh?”
“My brother’s uncle. You know who I’m talking about. Peterson. Guys only got less then a year left to live and he is so distraught that his life’s on a ticking clock. If this project of yours is truly going to work then he would be more than willing to volunteer.”
“Peterson… Yes, I remember now. Shit that’s right he was diagnosed with 'mindspike' two years ago. Poor bastard.”
“Exactly! So?”
“You know what? He’ll be first on the list. Promise you.”
“Thanks man. I’m sure my brother will be ecstatic to hear once I’ve informed him. You sure this project of yours, Soul Cage, will actually work?”
“I assure you it will. Director Shimada wouldn’t have approved it otherwise.”
“Alright. I’ll take your word for it.”
Dodger and Hensley finished their drinks and went to go waste time playing at the various arcade games. From on-rails shooters to digital bowling to classic beat-em-ups. The Starlight Barcade had it all. That’s what led to its huge success and rave reviews on top of mass appeal to basically everyone.
After at least three or so hours had passed, Hensley sat down with Dodger for one last drink before the evening crowd would start to pour into the place. Hensley turned in his drinking glass and paid his tab.
“Well, it’s been fun. I should get going though.” He said while Dodger wiped down the counter.
“Yeah man. One of these days when I’m not on the clock we should dick around here. You can literally spend all day here.” Dodger replied.
“Absolutely. I’ll be sure to let you know when Soul Cage is ready to start accepting applicants.”
“Appreciate it. See ya’ around.”
“Take it easy.”
Hensley left the establishment as over a dozen people passed by him. The evening crowd arrived it seemed. He chuckled, paying them no mind. Once he stepped outside, Hensley lit up a cigarette to take some drags on the way to his car. Being cooped up indoors all the time for work, it was rare he got to smoke outside. He would always just smoke inside of his office, even having an ashtray at the far end of his desk. The drivers side window was cracked with music blaring as Hensley took the scenic route home.