To: Norman Sikowsky>>Hey man. Wassup?

>>Rich? Holy shucking fit! What the hell, man? Where have you been?

>>So, I spent like a week in hospital because I went swimming in some tainted water, then breathed some polluted air. And got beaten up. I was so out of it that I hallucinated I was a dragon.

>>What the fuck did you do that for?

>>It’s a long story, and I can’t talk about it. There’s a lot I can’t talk about in general, so watch your step, okay?

>>Shit.

>>Good news is that I’ll be back in school soon. Bad news is that my dad’s dead.

>>Shit, shit shit, I’m sorry man. Wow. That’s... Jesus. You had a week, didn’t you?

>>More like a day and a half. Two days I guess, before it all settled. Yeah, it was pretty fucked up, but it’s over now.

>>How are you guys gonna pay for the funeral? Or hospital? Do you need money? I mean it’s a lot of money but maybe my dad can do something.

>>No, it’s cool. The funeral and hospital are paid for. I got lucky, sort of. I’ll have to more or less pay it back later. But I’ve got a lead on a job in a couple of years, so it’ll work out.

>>You want me to stop by? I know we don’t do meatspace hangouts that often, but I can do it.

>>Dude, that’s awesome. Let’s hang once I’m out of the hospital. I’ve got a new address now though.

>>Yeah?

>>Yeah. We moved in with Mister Tassle.

>>We? I thought your Dad was... uh...

>>Oh yeah. Mom’s back. And we’re living with Mr. Tassle now.

>>What? GTFO!

>>No, it’s the truth. He’s got a house man, and it was just him before. He felt guilty... ah, long story, no talky.

>>Shit, your Mom moves fast. You calling him Daddy yet?

>>Dude, shut up! It’s not like that!

>>I mean you could do worse, man. He’s pretty cool as teachers go.

>>Yeah. Yeah he is. Been teaching me to strip down hardware and build my own rigs.

>>Cool! So when are you coming back to game? I got so much to tell you man, got a lead on my own pirate ship, maybe! Just gotta liberate it from someone who doesn’t want to share.

>>...maybe not for a long while.

>>What?

>>I have to keep my nose clean for the foreseeable future. Can’t log into that game we used to play. Y’know, Neverquest.

>>Oh yeah. Neverquest. Well that sucks.

>>It’s life, man. Honestly things could have worked out a lot worse. I got lucky, and that’s all I can say about that.

>>All right, well it’s your loss dude. Things are freaking awesome!

>>Ah dude, if only I could tell you... no, never mind. I’ll get back there when I’m ready.

>>All right, but I’ve got one last brag to brag. So that uh, lady I was complaining about? We worked something out. Got me a sidekick now. She kicks ass!

>>Heh! I found a pretty kickass sidekick, too. Well, two of them. One of them’s hot as hell. Hopefully they’re still there when I return.

>>Let me know how it goes. See you in class, man!

>>You know it, bro!