An hour later we sat in the living room. Stew was in a stuffed chair shoved into the corner next to the hall entrance while Sam had pulled a chair from the kitchen to sit next to the curtain covered windows. Two couches sat in an L, one facing the TV the other the window. Mike and I sat on the smaller one facing the window while Soccer Mom sat slumped over in the corner of the larger couch. Meagan had convinced her to hand over the baby for a feeding and was spooning mushy oatmeal for her.

We shared what had happened to us while Sam peered through cracks where the curtains overlapped. Stew told our story with Mike only needing to correct him a few times. Soccer Mom still wasn't talking much. The only thing we learned from her was that Stacy was her baby and Soccer Mom cried a lot when she mentioned that Ryan didn't make it to the door with them.

Nobody wanted to push her very hard for more.

Meagan had been doing her daily run, Stew's body language let us know he thought that was ridiculous, when everything started happening. Which is where she learned about gaining proficiency in skills. She gained Running as a Skill and mastered it shortly before getting knocked out.

Sam looked around after everyone else had told their stories. "Well sounds like a lot of exciting experiences. I just woke up and came downstairs to yell at the TV. Just hoping for an NCIS re-run and I couldn't get anything except screens that look like those damn games you kids play. Different one on each channel, didn't understand any of 'em."

Stew laughed. "Bet you wished you'd played a couple now that we're living in one." His voice turned bitter as he continued. "Or let me stay up late on school nights a few times."

Sam sighed and turned back to looking outside. "Too early to tell yet, son."

Something Sam had said tickled at the back of my mind. I could tell Mike had some questions for Sam as well. He looked at me and I motioned for him to take the lead.

"Sam. You said every channel was different? Do you mean the character screen changed? That happened to us without the TV." I guess Sam had told Mike he didn't need to call him Mr. Coleman either.

"No. I mean I pressed buttons on the remote and a bunch of numbers kept changing. Remotes next to Dave, you can take a look for yourself." He hadn't even looked away from his study of what was outside.

I grabbed the remote and hit the power button. It beeped and flickered as it turned on. There was my character sheet.

DAVID SMITH   ATTRIBUTES Dave Title --- HP(Regen) 38/42 (1/15Min) Str 6 Int 7 Per 5   XP Human Level 2 MP(Regen) 27 (2/Min) Dex 5 Wis 5 Cha 3 35 18 Job --- Stam(Regen) 16 (1.48/Sec) Vit 5 Res 4 Lck 3 5 Skill Points 6 Unspent Attribute Points

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I had just kind of assumed I wasn't insane but it was nice to have verification. Even if it came from Stew before anyone else.

"When did you get to Level 2? Man, first I gotta clean up your puke and then you gain a level on me. How much worse is this day going to get?"

Meagan rose to the occasion. "I need to get home to my family. I could use a little help from you guys."

Stew didn't hesitate. "Well have fun with that. It's been nice knowing you."

"Jesus, I thought everyone was exaggerating about you Stew. Turns out they weren't, you are a complete ass."

I laughed as Mike just nodded his head.

"Whatever, at least I didn't get taken out by a squirrel." Stew seemed put out that we had agreed with her.

"Stewart. She is a guest in this house."

"Ugh. Fine."

Sam sighed quietly.

Meagan turned away from Stew and towards the rest of us. "I need to get home to my family, but I've never played any of these games before."

"There are all kinds of different ones and I doubt we'll find a FAQ for it. Lots of basic rules though. Mostly that you have stats and levels. Higher is better."

"OK. I pretty much had that, but if I go up a level shouldn't I get stronger?"

I ignored Stew as he threw up his hands at hearing someone else had leveled before him.

While they talked about RPG basics I messed around with the TV. Just like Sam had said if I pressed up or down on the channels it would cycle through my screens. Character screen to character status to attribute list to skills.

"So where should I put my attribute points then?"

"Depends on what you want. I usually play a rogue so lots of Dex."

Stew broke in. "Phb. Just put it all in strength like I did. I have eight Str now. Boom." Stew jumped up and did a Hulk pose. It was obvious that he had managed to use his points, his skinny frame was now threatening to rip his shirt with its muscles. "Number 8 is great."

I had found that I could focus on terms and bring up a description for them. The screens were also very response to what I actually wanted to see. "I got this list about attributes if anyone is interested."

 ‡ Str - Strength drives the sword and helps in defending the body. Basic stat for attack and increases HP ‡

 ‡ Dex - Dexterity lets us do more with less, not only ensuring our blows fall were we wish it makes our body movements smoother. Quickens reaction time as well as reduces stamina use. ‡

 ‡ Vit - Vitality is the power that flows in our veins as well as the air we breath. Basic stat for HP and Stamina as well as recovery times. ‡

 ‡ Int - Intelligence gives us the potential to impact the world in a more basic manner than strength of arms alone. Increases Mana Pool. ‡

 ‡ Wis - Wisdom supports our intelligence allowing us to impact not only more, but faster as well. Basic stat for Mana Recovery and can increase Mana Pool. ‡

 ‡ Res - Resolve is the only thing that keeps our feet on the track when we climb the hill. Basic stat for resistances. ‡

 ‡ Per - Perception is not only how much you see and hear, it is how much you notice. If you can't tell what it does put points in Int. ‡

 ‡ Cha - Charisma, everyone wants it or to be near it. For looking and talking pretty. ‡

 ‡ Lck - Luck. Heads or Tails ‡

"This might help decide if you haven't seen it yet. A little more attitude on some, but it's something."

"We should be writing this down."

"There's a notepad in one of the kitchen drawers." Sam said.

Steve jumped out of his chair. "I got something better than that. I'll just go grab it for you Mike."

We all looked at each other at this change in Steve's attitude.

Sam sighed. "I probably don't want to know."

Soccer Mom continued sitting in silence. Meagan let the baby get down and crawl around on the floor as we waited for Stew.