[UA] OT: I don't want to know what is going to happen (long)

[rogerfcw at cyberway.com.sg]

What just happened to me is about the weirdest bit of my life. And it's so strange I've never even thought about it, much less having it in my game.

One of my regular players, A, an ex-drug addict just called me up. He spoke in length about this new girl he met a few weeks ago. How much he really liked her and how it could have been great. "It's too bad that I have to do this. But I really liked her." he said over the phone. "Everything was going fine. Then I've been getting these dreams."

Everyone has dreams, I laughed at him. "Sequentially and temporally correct dreams. Each revealing a bit of the future." I had to make up some crap on the phone, I told him it was his subconsious mind that was more observant than his consiousness. Maybe somethings he chose not to see. "All the dreams coming true. Even what you just told me. I have to stop it. It's her."

His voice was in an uneven tone. A slight tinge of paranoia. Maybe a bit crazed. He said someone had sent her to spy on him. "I don't care who did it. I don't like being toyed with like this."

I asked him who the hell would be so free as to target him for a rank. "It's not a prank. Someone is out to get me."

He hung the phone on me.

I didn't know what he was going to do. Despite his past, he's always been well-mannered and even gentlemanly. He had an air of sophistication and education. Someone who would have been near the top of society had he not turned to drugs. His voice got to me in the end. I called him again.

I asked him if he was sure. Could he confirm this prank? "My source I checked out. I sold my soul for the truth. Now I have to pay her back and whoever it was who sent her." I admonished him. I reminded of his years spent in prison, and how it would be terrible if he did something stupid in a fit of anger, how our society would lock him up for good or even pass the death sentence upon him. "It won't be physical. Even if I have to face the death sentence, I'm ready for it and I'm not afraid. My way is paved."

My damn mobile ran out of juice at this point. I ran into my office and called him again. I got his voice mail. I called another friend, B. They were closer and had known each other longer. I told him to call A, only saying that he could be emotional bacause of a girl.

Half an hour later, B calls. "I don't know what he said to you. But he said he was going to do something only the girl will regret." This was followed by observations similar to mine. His voice was in an uneven tone. A slight tinge of paranoia. Bordering on hysteria. I aked if B tried to stall him so he could calm down. "He said his agent has been sent. Everything is in motion. It's too late for regrets."

To me, my friend is probably just a bit paranoid. To B, who is more steeped in the occult, A could have been a target of voodoo. A's mannerisms had always attracted the ladies, especially bored married women. "I think it could be a jealous husband or a spurned lover."

I put down the phone. It's been about an hour since the first phone call. 

I don't know what to do. My games have never been great, but they had atmosphere. Now my office's air-conditioner seems exceptionally strong. The storm that is brewing outside is very unseasonal for the equator.

Logic and emotion. I've always been more in favour of the former. Science and superstition. Is the news tonight going to change my views? Will I stop role playing because my imagination doesn't seem to match up to reality's twists?

I haven't got time to spell check or proof read this. I'm going to call my friend again. Maybe we can meet up before he does something stupid. Maybe not.



--------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail2Web - Check your email from the web at
http://www.mail2web.com/ .


_______________________________________________
UA mailing list
UA at lists.uchicago.edu
http://lists.uchicago.edu/mailman/listinfo/ua