Big news in the world of computer gaming today.

  Rumours have been circulating for some time that ARC Gaming, the company that gained their fame and fortune by releasing the fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game, The Blades of Verchinor, is working on a virtual reality game.

  As of today, we can confirm those rumours are true. In a major press release, ARC co-founder Isaac Chase has announced that they have created a virtual game world for players to explore and adventure in.

  What type of world have they crafted out of the digital matrix? Preu Treya. That’s right, folks. If you love the PC version of the game, you will soon be able to enter your favourite world from The Blades of Verchinor.

  One disappointing note about the announcement is that the average player will be waiting for a while before they get the chance to create an account. Beta testing will open within the next couple of days with the first round of invites going out to initial investors in the project. For every two million dollars given, an investor can create one player account.

  Isaac says that after beta testing is complete, regular subscriptions will be offered to the public.

  Critics of the company have been quick to voice the opinion that Sebastian Darndhal, co-founder and the technological brain behind ARC Gaming, would never stand for such price gouging. Unfortunately, Mr. Darndhal has not been seen or heard from for the past two months, which leaves Isaac free to do as he pleases.

  Trent Grand, UGN gaming blog.

  Amanda smiled as the front door opened and stepped out from behind the clear glass counter, smoothing her expensive designer micro skirt.

  The man’s hair was messy and his suit, once an expensive piece of fashion, was wrinkled and torn. His designer leather shoes were worn and scuffed, traces of the original deep brown finish only visible in small patches. He looked to be in his early fifties with silver stubble covering his tanned face. Behind his haphazard appearance, the man’s eyes were sharp and focused.

  “Hello, sir. Is there something I can help you with?”

  “‘Course there is.” The words came out raspy. He began to cough, a wet, crackling sound from deep in his lungs. Amanda remembered coughing like that when she’d gotten pneumonia on a photo shoot in Bermuda. The man covered his mouth with the crook of one arm, bending over at the waist until the fit passed. Then he stood and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket before speaking. “Blades of Verchinor.”

  “I’m sorry.” Amanda frowned. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

  He nodded and looked around, waving a hand at the sparsely decorated showroom. “I’m here to play.”

  “The video game?” She frowned, then pursed her lips as she looked around at the sparse, yet expensive surroundings. “We are not selling copies of a video game here. You could try the local mall for that.”

  He frowned and shook his head. “Not the video game, girl.”

  “Then I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking abo—”

  “Virtual reality.”

  She paused and the man laughed. “They didn’t hire you for your poker skills, did they?”

  Amanda looked toward the mirror in the corner of the room. “I’m sorry, sir, our business is conducted by appointment only.”

  “I know how it works. I have an appointment. Two p.m. John Docker.” He raised a hand and waved at the mirror. “Tell your boss I’m here and don’t have all day.”

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  She turned on her heel. “Please wait here.”

  He grunted and Amanda paused at the door on the far wall, knocked, then opened it. She entered, frowning at her boss. “Is this guy for real?”

  Norman looked away from the two-way glass and shrugged as he stood. “I just checked and it looks like the appointment is real, but there’s no way this guy can afford a ticket.” He touched Amanda’s arm as he walked past. “Wait here. I’ll get rid of him.”

  “Thanks, Norm.”

  “My pleasure.”

  Norman shut the door behind him and summoned a smile for the unkempt man. “I’m Norman.” He extended his hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, John.”

  John frowned and crossed his arms. “I won’t take up much of your time, Norm. Let’s get to it.”

  Norman withdrew his hand, careful to keep smiling. “I don’t remember speaking with you on the phone. Who did you make your appointment with?”

  “Made it online.”

  “I see.”

  “Can we hurry it up, pal?”

  “Sure.” Norman turned and walked toward Amanda’s desk. “If you’ll follow me, John, I’ll bring up your information and we can get things rolling.”

  Norman stood behind the desk. He brought up the details on the monitor and frowned. “It looks as if full payment for your adventure has been received, John.”

  “Adventure.” He snorted. “‘Course you’ve been paid.”

  “An escort is on its way to pick you up from our location and take you to processing. Should be here in less than ten minutes.”

  “Good.”

  “Can I offer you something to drink while you wait?”

  John grunted and shook his head.

  “We have a very generous referral program. Would you like to give me the names of any friends who might enjoy playing the VR version of Blades of Verchinor?”

  John laughed. “You’re kidding?”

  “No.”

  The older man opened his mouth, then paused, shaking his head. “No. I wouldn’t recommend this game to any of my friends.”

  “I see.” Norman was silent for a few seconds. “I must say, we don’t get many people your age who are interested in trying this new technology.”

  John stared.

  Norman cleared his throat and looked at the screen again. He frowned. “There’s one issue here with your reservation.”

  “Only one?”

  “Yes.”

  “What is it?”

  “You’ve paid for permanent log-in.”

  “That’s right.”

  “You understand what that means?”

  “It’s pretty self-explanatory, Norm.” John laughed and tapped his chest. “I go into the VR game for good, this body dies. That about covers it, I think.”

  “That’s right.” Norman nodded. “But there are no instructions for how to—”

  “Go ahead. Spit it out.”

  “What would you like us to do with your remains, John?”

  “Don’t much care.” He waved a hand. “Dump me in the alley. Feed me to the dogs.”

  Norman laughed and then put a hand over his mouth. “That’s not funny.”

  “You laughed. It’s funny.”

  “Still, you should give us some direction as to wha—”

  “Fine. I want you to stuff me and prop me here by the desk.”

  Norman’s smile disappeared. John laughed. “Like I said. It doesn’t matter to me what you do with it. Now stop yapping and let me sit here quietly ‘til my ride gets here.”

  Norman shook his head. The guy just paid us two million dollars. Guess I’ll shut up. “As you wish, sir.”

  ***

  Two days later, the phone rang in Norman’s office.

  “Hello?”

  “Heya, Norm. It’s Ben over in processing.”

  “Hi, Ben. What’s up?”

  “Coupla days ago we got a permanent log-in customer from your location.”

  “Old cranky guy?”

  “That’s the one.” Ben laughed.

  “Everything went properly?”

  “Oh yeah, no problems getting him hooked up and sent in.”

  “Good.”

  “Wondering what you wanted us to do with the body, though. There were no instructions left on the work order.”

  Norman sighed. “Dump it in the alley.”

  “What?”

  Norman laughed. “He said he didn’t care. Told me to go ahead and dump it in the alley or feed it to the dogs.”

  “Oh. Well, you know we can’t do that. They’re watching us very closely to make sure we respect those who opt for permanent log-in.”

  “I know.”

  “Any suggestions?”

  “Not really.”

  “Maybe someone over at ARC wants a say?”

  Norman frowned. “Why would anyone over there care?”

  “Well, we were going through his belongings. You know, after.”

  “Yeah?”

  “The ID on him says his name isn’t John Docker.”

  “Sure it does. I checked it myself.”

  “Well, yeah. He had that one piece of ID, but the rest all had a different name.”

  “Likely fake.”

  “No. There was a DNA card, and it matched the blood sample we took from the cadaver.”

  “Damn.” Norman shook his head. “What was the guy’s real name then?”

  “Sebastian Darndhal.”

  Norman’s mouth went dry.

  “Hello? You hear me, Norm?”

  “There’s no way.”

  “Oh, there sure is. He even had his old ID badge from when he was with ARC. Says president and co-founder right under the guy’s picture.”

  “We just sent the creator of Blades of Verchinor into his own virtual reality game.”

  Ben laughed. “Looks like it.”

  “Oh god.”

  “It a big deal?”

  Yes! “Not likely. Still, don’t tell anyone.”

  There was silence.

  “I mean it, Ben. Not a word to anyone. You hear me?”

  “Yeah, sure man.”

  “I’ll get back to you about the body.”

  “Okay, thanks. And say hi to Velma and the kids. It’s been awhile since we all got tog—”

  Norman hung up the phone. After a moment, he opened the bottom drawer of his desk, withdrew a bottle of scotch and a glass, half-filled it, then tipped it back, draining it in one long gulp. He reached for the phone, his hand shaking.