The Game Read Online Free Page A

and exits the sphere.
“Hello? Mr. Singleton?” His eyes wander to the doorway leading to
the other part of the warehouse—to the other, larger game. He
slinks across the floor and pauses at the threshold, listening. All
is quiet, still no sign of Mr. Singleton.
    He steps into the other room and quietly
crosses the open floor.
    Why does he want to see the other one so badly?
The flight simulator was perfect, everything he could ever want in
a game—but this one—this one is twice as large—and that makes it
twice as good, right? He touches the smooth surface of the sphere
and the game begins to hum and vibrate. He takes a tentative step
back. The sphere begins to glow and he sneaks a glance over his
shoulder toward the other room.
    Before he can talk himself out of it, Paul
tiptoes to the rear of the platform. It’s set up almost like the
other system. He turns on the main power to the computer and
nervously shifts from one foot to the other while he waits.
Finally, the menu appears and unlike the other game, this one has
only one item listed. He selects it and loading appears on
the screen. Above him, the sphere brightens and the humming
increases, vibrating the floor.
    Below the computer monitor is a shelf with a
heavy plastic replica of an automatic assault rifle. He lifts it to
test its weight but there is something else attached to it. A thin
network of wires connect the gun’s grip to a folded piece of
fabric. He unfolds it. It’s a long-sleeved shirt made of black,
stretchy material. The wires connect to the right sleeve and
disappear into the fabric. He rubs his fingers along the fabric,
tracing the outline of wires cleverly hidden within. At the neck is
another patch of fabric with more wires embedded within. He
stretches it out—it’s a hood. He checks the bottom of the gun—a
quick release connector attaches it to the cables and the shirt. He
separates the cable and slides the shirt over his head. He picks up
the gun, reattaches the cable, and then begins circling the sphere,
searching for the door. He makes a complete circuit. What? He makes another circuit. There’s no door? He steps up and
presses his palm against the surface again—and the sphere moves.
Startled, he jerks his hand away. “What in the world?” He places
his hand back against the glowing surface and pushes upward. The
sphere moves. He pushes to the left and the sphere turns
left.
    Something catches his eye. Toward the ceiling,
near the top of the globe, is a faint outline—a rectangle cut in
the otherwise completely smooth surface. The door! He slides
his palm downward and the door descends until finally, he has it
lined up with the steps leading to the platform. He unlatches the
door and steps inside, closing it behind him. The moment he steps
inside, a myriad of concealed lights illuminate within the plastic
assault rifle. On the side of the rifle is a flat panel that flips
outward, revealing a tiny computer screen. A scrollbar pulses
onscreen, announcing that ninety-one percent of the program is
loaded.
    Paul pulls the hood over his head, surprised
that he can’t feel any of the hidden wires. While the program
loads, he takes a tentative step forward—the weight of his body
presses down against the sphere, causing it to turn beneath his
feet with each step he takes. It reminds him of walking through one
of those moving tunnels at a carnival funhouse, but instead of it
moving in only a single direction, this one moves in every
direction. Stopping is a little awkward because the sphere still
moves under his feet—maybe that’s one of the bugs Mr. Singleton is
trying to correct. At any rate, it’s only slightly
noticeable.
    Realizing what he must look like from the
outside, he laughs quietly . I’m in a hamster
ball!
    Ready flashed across the sphere in front
of him and he glances at the display attached to the
gun— download complete .
    “ Here we go,” he says, and pushes
the start button on top of the gun.
* * *
    “