Zoe felt herself getting bogged down with her studies. She had three essays to write and she had to prepare a paper on body language to present to her fellow students. She decided that she needed a break, so she rang Simran and arranged to meet her for a night out.
They met up for a meal at first, during which they exchanged and chewed over the latest gossip and then took turns to moan about their respective college courses and workloads. To finish off the evening, the pair went on to a club.
As Zoe and Simran sat watching people dance, Zoe became aware that almost everyone in the club, whether on the dance floor or sitting around at tables, seemed to have the same passive robotic air and movement that she’d seen in her brother and father. She mentioned this to Simran.
“It’s funny you should say that,” Simran commented. “I was just thinking the same. I’ve noticed similar traits and behaviour in my two brothers and in both of my parents in the past few days.”
“Mine too,” said Zoe. “I thought it was just my imagination, but seeing this lot here and hearing what you say about your family, I’m beginning to think there’s something a bit more sinister in this.”
“How long have your brother and your dad been acting like this?” asked Simran.
“A few days now,” Zoe replied. “Ever since they played on that reality computer game that someone posted through our door.”
“We had one of those delivered too,” cried Simran. “No one ordered it, but someone put a copy through our letterbox. ‘Being There’ or ‘Be There’ – or something like that. I think that’s what it’s called. Everyone in my family has played it except me. I haven’t had time… besides I don’t really go on computer games. My family enjoyed it though, they keep on telling me how good it is and how I must play it.”
“I didn’t play either,” said Zoe, “and I won’t! You know, this is quite weird and it has made me suspicious of that game. Why is it being delivered to homes when it’s not been ordered? And why do people seem to behave differently when they’ve played it? I wonder if there’s something in it that affects the way people act. I think we should investigate, don’t you?”
“What… just like when we investigated the Soul Snatcher at school?” voiced Simran, smiling. “I don’t think so, Zoe. Firstly I haven’t got time, and secondly I think you’re getting carried away by what we did before.”
“Maybe I am,” Zoe replied, “but in the meantime, whatever you do, don’t play that game… and don’t, under any circumstances, say anything to anyone about what I’ve just told you!”
*
The next day, back at her home, Zoe put her studies to one side and concentrated on finding out as much as she could about the ‘Being There’ computer game. She began by examining the box cover, where she found out it was produced locally by the Lazar Virtual Reality Computer Games Company. A search of the company website produced little other than the general information normally given on any company website. There was a feature about the history of the company and its range of products, along with a description of what was proclaimed as the most advanced and most complete computer game in the world.
‘Your chance to fulfil your wildest deepest dreams,’ the blog read, ‘Being There is more than a game – it is an experience. Whatever you’ve ever wanted to do in your life, however much it seemed to be out of reach, it is now at hand. The impossible can be achieved nowadays, by choosing from our extensive menu of world-famous events. Just click onto whichever one you fancy and you really are there. You can be a champion, a revolutionary, a top sportsperson, a member of the armed forces or a celebrity. In fact, you can be anything you want as long as it’s in our menu. Unlike any other computer game, you don’t just watch or press a few buttons. Our virtual reality technology actually takes you inside the game so you are part of the event.’
Zoe continued to read, ‘This is a brand new concept and is exclusive to Lazar Virtual Reality Computer Games Company. To show our belief and conviction in our claim that you will enjoy playing ‘Being There’, we are delivering a copy to each household in Cristelee completely free of charge. This is a gift for all locals from your local Games Company’. The message was signed by a Zak Araz, who ascribed himself the titles of Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Zoe was unimpressed by the tone of the sales patter, but she was nonetheless curious about the fact that every household in Cristelee was receiving a free copy of the game, and also why Mr Araz seemingly held two executive positions in the company when both were key roles normally occupied by separate people. She suddenly had a desire to meet Zak Araz.
*
A few hours later, Zoe sat in the reception area of the Lazar Virtual Reality Computer Games Company waiting for Zak Araz to put in an appearance. His secretary had said he was on the factory floor and would be back shortly. Zoe tried to question her about the company, but she’d just replied that she hadn’t worked there for very long and then changed the subject, chatting about the weather and how lovely the park was looking. Her intonation and manner were distant and well rehearsed, giving the impression of a person who was very one-dimensional. Zoe soon stopped asking questions and sat in silence.
After about twenty minutes, a man appeared at the door.
“Miss Boswell?” he asked, smiling and holding out his hand.
“Yes,” replied Zoe, holding his gaze.
“I’m Zak Araz,” the man said. “Come through to my office and we can talk. Would you like some tea, coffee or something else?”
“No thank you,” said Zoe.
Mr Araz led the way upstairs to his office where he offered Zoe a seat by the window. She could see right across the park from where she was sitting. A few very young children were playing on the carousel and the swings, in that weak kind of sunshine often seen in early April. They were watched by a small group of women, who Zoe took to be their mothers or carers. On the grass to the left, a number of older boys were kicking a football around. Their jackets had been heaped untidily, one on top of another, to form goalposts.
Over by the lake, someone was feeding the ducks. Zoe could see the group of mallards and swans gathered around, pushing, shoving and squabbling as they all tried to be the first to get to the food that was being thrown in their direction. Meanwhile a few gulls screamed loudly as they circled above the heads of the squabbling horde, hoping no doubt to pick up any unclaimed morsels.
“So what can I do for you, Miss Boswell?”
Zoe’s attention was swiftly dragged back towards Mr Araz as she heard the question.
“Well, as I told your secretary,” Zoe began, putting on a rather posh voice and accent, “my name is Victoria Boswell, but my friends call me Vicky, and I am a student journalist currently on placement with The Cristelee Chronicle. I have been interested by your new game ‘Being There’ ever since a copy was dropped through my door, and I have to say it is a really wonderful game… ”
“Have you played it?” Mr Araz interrupted.
“No… not yet… but I will as soon as I get the opportunity,” Zoe continued, drawing her hand across her brow in an exaggerated motion of exhaustion and exasperation. “But as I was saying, I find it so interesting that I have decided to write an article about your company and the people behind it as part of my student thesis. I intend to look at how the game ‘Being There’ began and who came up with the idea, how it works and where the technology that brings such reality comes from. I also want to explore how it makes people feel after they have played it – you know, all that kind of stuff. That’s the sort of thing that will interest our readers and hopefully if my article is successful, it might increase the popularity of the game and also your sales.”
“Miss Boswell,” said Mr Araz softly, staring directly into Zoe’s eyes as he spoke. “It’s a very good idea and I would love to go along with it, but I’m afraid I cannot give away trade secrets. Our competitors, you see… they could read your article and then go and produce a similar game for themselves, thus competing with us in the market and cutting our profits. This might in turn lead to much lower sales and production and bring about the need to get rid of some of my staff. Now I’m sure you wouldn’t want to be responsible for people losing their jobs, would you?”
“No, of course not,” replied Zoe. Her mind was racing. Something about the way Mr Araz looked at her… something about his eyes and the soft tone of his voice sent shivers down her spine and awakened hidden memories in the darkest corners of her mind, which were now stirring and sending goosebumps down the back of her neck.
Even though she had no idea what these memories were, Zoe sensed that they were not pleasant ones. She knew she had to be careful what she said now. She had noticed the faint flinch, the slight darkening of the eyes and the furrowing of the forehead when she’d said the words ‘How it makes people feel after they have played it?’
“You can look up the history of the company for yourself.”
Zoe’s thoughts were brought sharply back into focus by Mr Araz’s words. He leaned back in his chair, now looking more relaxed as he spoke, “You’ll find it on our website… or I’m sure it will be on the internet somewhere if you want more. I can’t give you much information myself as I only bought the company last year.”
“Yes, okay,” said Zoe, with a resignation that conveyed her belief that she would get no further information from Zak Araz, but she decided to have one more try. “Can I ask you one more question before I go please?”
“Certainly,” replied Mr Araz, “and I will answer it if I can.”
“How come you are both managing director and chief executive officer?” Zoe asked. “They are normally two separate jobs in most companies.”
“Convenience and finance,” said Mr Araz without hesitation. “As I said, I only bought the company last year and as I was just starting up, I couldn’t afford to pay for a chief executive so I took on all of the duties myself. As I am also the manager and I decide which direction we go in, I also took on the responsibility and role of managing director. It seemed like a simple solution. And now, Miss Boswell, I have work to do so I must say goodbye to you. It has been a pleasure meeting with you and I am sure we will meet again. Please play my computer game; you will enjoy it immensely. Here, take a copy with my compliments.”
“It’s okay. Thanks all the same, but we have one at home,” said Zoe, pushing her chair back and standing up.
“Take it anyway,” said Mr Araz, thrusting the thin plastic case into her hand. “I’m sure you can find a use for it.”
Zoe bade him farewell and left the room. She made her way downstairs and out into the reception area, stopping briefly to talk to Mr Araz’s secretary.
“Do you have any brochures or other company literature that I can take away with me?” Zoe asked. “Anything at all? Advertising material… sales promotions… anything?”
“I’m sorry,” was the rather wooden reply from the secretary, “we don’t carry stocks of any literature. We give it all to our sales team.”
“Thanks anyway,” muttered Zoe, turning and opening the door before stepping outside. “Goodbye.”
Upstairs in his office, Mr Araz watched from a window as Zoe walked down the path and onto the street. She was still in sight as he picked up the telephone.
“Get me The Cristelee Chronicle on the phone,” he said softly.