The year is 2034. I am thirty-five years old, and my life is not what I expected. I grew up with dreams of glory, dreams of being one of the best baseball players the world had ever seen. All I wanted as a child was to hold that trophy above my head and feel everything. Even today, when I see those players win and hold that trophy, a tear comes to my eye. Not because I feel sorry for myself for not being in the other person’s place but because I know how hard all of them had to work to get there. I know how much of a struggle it is to fight every day for a single purpose, for a dream. To work that dream into reality must be the greatest feeling. Ok, maybe I do feel a bit sorry for myself. Unfortunately for me, I was really good. So good, in fact, that I spent all of my teenage years chasing that dream that would never come. See, I have a degenerative disc disease that meant I had to get surgery at the age of seventeen. My days of striving for glory were over after that, along with my college scholarship, and now the best I can hope for is to live out my days working, drinking, and playing games, striving for that glory with my old buds, even though most of them are true grown-ups with families. This leaves them little time to hang out with an old high school friend online.

I was getting out of the shower after a long day doing tire and oil changes. I work at my buddy Karl’s auto body and tuning shop when my phone buzzed. ‘Hey man, just picked up the new Porsche. When can I bring it by the shop?’ It was my old friend Ian. Definitely the most successful of the bunch. ‘How’s Wednesday?’ I messaged back after checking out my goggle schedule. ‘Sounds good. How about lunch after? I got news to tell you.’ Ian messaged back. ‘Yeah, sure.’ I wondered what the news could be. Ian worked in the gaming industry, and in the last few years, if you couldn't tell from the brand-new Porsche, he had moved up considerably at Xplicit Games, one of the most prestigious game makers in the world. Needless to say, he always hooked me up with the newest systems and games.

I toweled myself off, put on track pants and a tee, grabbed an IPA from the fridge, turned the baseball game on the TV, and settled down at my desk for a good four-hour game session. The raid started in an hour.

Yep, that was a typical day for me. Work then game. Ever since losing my ability to play ball, life had become stale. I’d spent the last fifteen years coasting as if everything I was born to do was taken away from me. It took time for me to realize that it wasn’t just playing ball, but it was having a purpose. I've always been an active person, lifting weights, running, and training. I loved it. The adrenalin rush, and feeling of accomplishment that came with it. After my surgery and the difficult years that followed, I couldn’t do any of that stuff. Well, not to the same extent. I’m okay doing everyday tasks; I lift and move around at work a ton. But exerting myself to the limits is not something I can do anymore. These days, I put myself into the games I play. It’s like a second life, really.

***

Wednesday came, and Ian was there right on time. Eleven sharp. He was always on time. I waved him to drive around the back of the shop and told him to drive his absolutely gorgeous black 911 turbo in. I’ve never been much of a car guy, even though I work in the industry, but damn this thing was nice. Ian got out of the car. “So what do you think?” he said.

“Damn man, she’s a beauty. How you doing, its been what almost a year?”

“Yeah, probably. It’s been absolutely crazy over at Xplicit. You won’t believe what we’re working on.” He said with actual excitement in his voice.

“Oh yeah, is VR actually going to do something this time,” I said with a laugh. Virtual reality headsets were supposed to be the future of entertainment. Were supposed to be for years. So far, they had never quite been able to crack the code of true reality. The old headsets had always made me feel sick.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Ian chuckled. “Na, not this time man. We’re working on something…new.” He said this with a hint of secrecy. I was definitely intrigued.

“Oh yeah, tell me about it. You know I’m always into the latest and greatest.”

“I can’t man,” Ian said. “We’ll talk over lunch, my treat. There’s a great sushi place about ten minutes from here.”

“Sounds good. So what do you want for this thing?” I asked about the car

“Oh, ah…whatever you think man. Do what you would do if it were yours.”

“Ok…” I laughed. “Might get a bit pricey. You ok with that?”

Ian gave a mischievous smile. “It’s not a problem.”

I went to my desk and ordered quite a bit of extras. “Alright, should get most of the parts in a week. You’ll have to leave that beauty with us for a few days.”

“No prob man. Let’s go for lunch. I’ll show you what it can do.” Ian said, indicating the car.

We left the shop and were at the sushi restaurant in under eight minutes. The place was almost empty. We both looked over the menu for a minute, then ordered a couple of Sapporo and a few rolls. “So, how are things going? You know, apart from Xplicit. New girl?” I asked.

“Barely have time for one these days. Xplicit has been going crazy. How about yourself? Anything new?”

“Na, not really. I’ve dated a few here and there, but after Kat, it’s been pretty tough really.” Kat was my on and off again girlfriend of the past ten years. We just broke it off for good about a year ago.

“I’m sorry to hear that, man.” Ian paused for a minute as our drinks were served, and we both took a sip. “Listen, have you ever thought of leaving Karl’s?”

I laughed. “What is this a job offer?”

Ian laughed too. “What if it was?”

“I don’t know anything about the gaming industry…well, except how to play them.” I chuckled again and took another sip of my beer, though honestly, I was pretty curious what Ian could mean.

Ian gave me a more serious look. “Honestly, we really need some serious gamers to test out a new project we’re working on. We need people like you. People who have been gaming for a long time and can give us real feedback. This…uh…isn’t your typical game.”

I just stared at Ian for a beat. “Ok…What type of game is it? If you tell me some new virtual reality shit, I’m not doing it. Gamers made their decision on vr.”

“Well,” he coughed. “I, uh, can’t actually divulge any information about the game or its system. But, uh, what I can tell you is that we can pay you one hundred and fifty grand for the next six months.”

I stopped mid-sip. One hundred and fifty grand for six months. What in the world could Xplicit be doing? “Your serious?”

“One hundred man. It’s now your typical game or gaming experience.” Ian sipped his beer as our food arrived. “Also, you would have to live at our facility for the entirety of the contract.”

“What the fuck man. You come here, offer me more money than I would make in two years in six months, and I can’t know anything? Is it at least safe? What would need to be so secretive?”

“Look, this is some new tech. Xplicit doesn't want anyone, and I mean anyone learning about it. It’s fucking awesome though man. You should do it. What else do you have going on? Don’t tell me that Karl needs you. He can lose you for half a year.”

“I’ll think about it,” I told him. We spent the rest of the meal talking about old times. I good old days. Damn, I must be getting old. The check came, and Ian paid, then drove me back to the shop. Before I got out, I asked him, “Did you even want anything for your car?”

He laughed. “Nah, not really, but I’m sure it will all be good.” He sobered. “Seriously though, take the job man. It will blow your mind, and we can work together. Also, who knows, it could lead to a new career.”

“I’ll think about it,” I said.

“Just let me know by Friday. Recruits are due to show up on Monday.”

“WHAT? Monday, man I must have been your last choice.” I couldn’t believe it.

“You weren’t one of my choices at all. Until two of our recruits backed out last week, listen man. It’s fucking great pay, and I’m telling ya, you will love it.”

“OK, I’ll let you know tomorrow. Take it easy, and don’t ride this baby to hard. Ok?” I said with a laugh.

Ian laughed as well as he left me standing outside the shop while he squealed his tires and roared off.