If someone asked me to describe my life, my reply would be NPC like. I truly lived a dull, predictable path, one that many probably live. I graduated near the top of my class in university, was hired by the government in the foreign affairs office, and now I soullessly work my life away. Now at thirty-eight a normal NPC would have gotten married, bought a home, and raised children. In fact, by the frequency in which my work colleagues bring it up, I’m missing out on the greatest happiness in my life.
However, to this date, the thought of those things hasn’t aroused interest in me. Of course, I have made some attempts at obtaining these things, to varying degrees of seriousness, but all ended in failure. Now I should say that I don’t see this as some sort of actual failure, unlike everyone else. Everyone says that I will find true happiness when I find someone else or hold my baby in my arms. Perhaps I might never be truly happy, maybe I’m doing something wrong, or not putting adequate effort into it. But if I had to be honest with myself, I would have to say that isn’t the case.
I have found my happiness and don’t see the necessity in bringing someone else into that. I’ve found explaining this point to others brings about shock, confusion, and downright denial. Which has led me to believe that perhaps I’m a unique NPC? I’ve diverged slightly from the masses, but not enough to be an actual player. This life isn’t something I chose, but something I was given. As of now, I’m merely going through the motions of life until its conclusion. I go to work for money, spend money on food and hobbies, run out of money, go back to work to earn more money.
...It’s just so tedious! When can I go home!?
“Julia, have you finished the documents I gave you about the relief efforts…” The pig manager droned on, before I cut him politely off.
“Yes Sir, I gave them to your secretary early this morning.”
“Then why have I not seen them?” He nagged, loosening his tie.
“I’m not sure, sir.” I answered, feigning concern.
The corner of his thin lips twisted as his greasy, pig-like face formed into a scowl. His beady brown eyes shot daggers at me, in a pathetic attempt to threaten me. This shameless pig wants me to go find the documents and bring them back to him. But that is not a part of my job, I’ve already done my part and refuse to do anything more. Putting on my practiced to perfection customer service smile, I stood my ground. After a few silent seconds of this standoff, he picked up some paper from his desk and began to “read” them, before dismissing me with an agitated wave.
Asshole, I thought to myself as spinning around and left the room. Walking back to my cubicle, I glance up at the clock on the wall, confirming what I already know. Sitting down at my desk, I recline my chair and stare up at the ceiling. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. The tense feeling I had in my neck from talking to the pig faded away.
I should just find another job, something that would give me more free time. Pondering the possibility of a new job, I sat back up and switched on my monitor, and opened my work emails. With glazed eyes, I stared at my screen while wondering how much longer I needed to be in the office.
Mustering up my dwindling strength, I opened my eyes and adjusted myself to look professional. Flipping on my work monitor, I opened my emails glazing over them. Peeking over the top of my cubicle, I stared at the clock on the wall. Noticing that almost no time had passed, I flopped back down in my chair disappointingly. The worst part about this job was the expected everyone to be here for the full eight hours. On most days I finished all my work within four hours and then waited around to work to end. Selecting an email at random, I half-heartedly scrolled through it.
Why did Friday’s feel like they moved much slower than the rest of the weekdays? I thought to myself, selecting another email and scrolling through it as well.
Today is a special once in a lifetime event, and here I am stuck in this grey hell! I screamed to myself, selecting another useless email.
I know I’ll get the sign-in bonus today, but I’ve missed all the noon events. Luckily, I’ve planned and should be able to gather some achievements before the lottery tonight. I explained to myself again, to calm my aching heart.
Stolen story; please report.
The rest of the workday continued like this until finally, the long-awaited time of 1600 arrived. Quickly standing up out of my chair, I grabbed my bag and power walked to the door. Just as I opened the gate to my freedom and was about to step across the threshold, I heard my name shouted from behind me.
“Julia! Wait a moment!” An ear grating barked behind me.
Collecting myself, I once again dawned on my customer service smile and turned around. The pig manager was behind me, with his greasy face dripping. The smell of rancid sweat radiated from his body, making me want to gag.
“Yes, is there something wrong?” I asked, using my polite voice.
“My secretary tells me she never received those relief documents.” He stated, putting his pudgy little fists on his hips.
“Well, that is impossible because I have her signature on this transfer document receipt.” I calmly replied, pulling out the receipt from my satchel and showing him.
“I have a meeting with the ambassador in a few hours. I need you and her to either find the documents or redo them.” He ordered with an oily grin.
“I’m sorry, sir, but it is not my fault your secretary has misplaced the documents.” I stated, turning back around to leave.
“I don’t care who's at fault! I need you to stay in case they need to be redone.” He snapped, his face going red.
“Is this authorized overtime pay?” I asked, still being polite.
“I...uh...well...no, it isn’t.” He stammered, the veins in his face bulging.
“Then I am sorry sir, without overtime pay I cannot work past 1600.” I replied, shaking my head pretending to care.
“Are you really going to say that?!” He bellowed, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets.
“Sir, if it’s authorized overtime then I can comply with your request, but it is not. According to the email you forwarded from the deputy director, working without pay for the federal government is illegal.” I responded, wanting this conversation to be over.
“Roger that Julia, I guess I will just have to put down in your bi-annual evaluation that you have poor teamwork skills.” He threatened, pointing his pudgy finger at me.
“I…” I tried to say something before being cut off by him.
“Don’t even think about trying to say something to someone else. Who are they going to believe in me or you?” He smirked confidently, crossing his arms across his bulging stomach.
“Sigh…..Your right.” I stated, not wanting to argue any longer with this slimy man.
“Now that’s better, go help…” He huffed before I cut him off
“Fuck off, I quit.” I said, turning around and walking out the door
“Wa…?” Was the last thing I heard from him before the door slammed shut behind me.
Bursting out of the building, I rushed down the road towards the hovertrain station. Only stopping briefly to grab some quick food before continuing down the road. Once I was standing on the platform, waiting for my train, I scarfed down the food I bought. Pulling out my phone, I checked on the newsfeed of Rioting Bard Games to see the updates on the celebration.
Today marked the beginning of a three-day celebration of the 15th anniversary of Pinnacle: Online. An immersive VR-MMO-RPG that garnered the attention of four hundred million players worldwide. With its massive worlds, advanced AI, unique stories, and its endless customization, players and creators could lose themselves in. Playing the game is the only time that I think my life is not monotonous. Inside Pinnacle, I’m a different person, I’m someone I’ve always wanted to be. I’m an actual player and no longer a dull NPC.
I need to hurry home and log-in so I can get the bonus and achievement. I grumbled to myself, watching the train pull up to the platform and sliding open. Quickly getting on, I found a seat near the window and sat down. I didn’t want to pull my attention away from my phone, to make sure no one talked to me. I kept reading all the events and games I had missed while being trapped at work. It was always a boring and long thirty-five-minute ride to my destination.
Catching some movement from the corner of my eye, I looked up from my screen. Directly in front of me was a young man, probably no older than seventeen. Legs spread to the max, he took up the seats to the left and right of him. His posture made everyone around him grimaced as everyone awkwardly avoided his gaze. When our eyes met, he smirked at me, before I rolled my eyes and went back to reading.
Why is everything so tedious today? I grumbled to myself, taking a deep breath in before letting out a long sigh. I’m going to need to find a job soon, one that gives me more time to play. Standing up, I made my way to the door of the train waiting for them to open. Getting off the train, I briskly walked down the street, heading to my apartment.
The plan was to get home and ask Diego for a report on everything I had given him to do while I was away. Tonight was extremely important and needs to be executed without any issues. Although Diego is very competent at his job and I trust him, it still weighs heavily on my heart. Opening the door to her apartment, I tossed my things to the side. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I chugged it before sitting down in the VR chair. Putting the headset on, I quickly turned on the power and waited for it to start.
*Rioting Bard Games Welcomes you to Pinnacle: Online*
*Scanning user….*
*User: Julia Ritter*
*Loading Character: Ophelia Von Luna*