The Great Game

If you’re new to the Great Game, please have a quick look at the blurb to your left, where you’ll find a short catch-up introduction!

“You may pick one, or I will select one for you.”

“What’s in them, then?”

The guy shows the top of each package to me in turn. Each has a cut-out picture stuck to it. One shows a gun, one shows a book, and one shows a shield. Each box is the same size, with the same cheery red rapping paper and golden ribbon.

“Alright,” I say. “I’ll have the knowledge.”

“Very good,” says the guy. He fiddles for a second, and then passes me the box with a book. Then he gives me a funny little salute thing, says “Be seeing you,” and bumbles off.

I step back inside the room, but as I do so, I hear a muffled snigger from outside. I glance back out, and Alice is walking over. To be fair, she is clearly doing her best to hide her amusement.

“Hello,” I say wearily. “All refreshed?”

“Wow. You look… fah-bulous.”

I can’t help sighing.

“Sorry,” she says. “It’s a hell of a transformation from Hill Street Blues to Soylent Green.”

“It’s not my fault.”

“Hey, do you think I chose to dress like a powerslave?” She tugs at her suit lapel disparagingly.

“Um.”

She arches an eyebrow at me, and I try to look contrite.

“Still,” I say, “I guess it explains why so many people are dressed so strangely. Is there any pattern to it?”

“Who knows? Maybe it’s your deep, dark desires coming through.”

Time to change the subject. I wave the box at her. “I got this from Mr. Andi, by delivery.”

“Shiny. What is it?”

“I’m not entirely sure. It doesn’t feel heavy enough to be a book. Information of some sort, I think.”

“Let’s find out.”

“Yeah.” We head back into my room. Alice sits on the bed, and I pull a chair across. Then I start unwrapping the parcel. Inside, seemingly floating in the centre of the box, is a simple gold signet ring. The design is oddly runic, but it doesn’t mean anything to me.

Alice ooohs, and I look up at her. “Did you get a present from Mr. Andi when you arrived?”

She shakes her head. “Nope. Guess you’re special.”

“That’s disturbing.”

She shrugs. “You going to put it on?”

 Loading ...

Today’s photo is Signet Ring by Macronix.

I’m slightly surprised that there was such a strong preference for the info option in last episode’s vote. Still, it’s good to be kept on my toes I actually feel bloody dreadful today — and am writing this note before I start the entry — so if today’s installment is a bit flat, my apologies in advance!