“The game?” repeated Sean. He wasn’t quite sure he had heard right. In fact, he was feeling very confused.

“That’s right, the game. You know, Inside Online,” affirmed Mark. “You signed up at the website, Mixed Path, did you not?” The man shook off his overcoat, fanning himself with his hat.

Sean quickly stood up and got the man a glass of lemon iced tea. He watched as the man greedily gulped down the contents, his sharp adam’s apple bobbing with each swallow.

How does he know I signed up on that website? Wait a minute, could it be that he runs that company? This is so strange.

“That’s right, I signed up at Mixed Path. But what does that have to do with anything?” replied Sean. He needed more information.

Mark put his hat back on, adjusting the brim so that it tilted slightly downwards, casting a shadow across his face.

“Allow me to explain. Mixed Path is more or less a fake company intended to function as a filter application for Inside Online. Remember the questionnaire you filled out when you applied for the job? All those questions were made to find qualifying candidates and you happened to match specific criteria,” explained Mark. “The reason why we don’t publicly advertise this is because we need honest answers. ”

Sean’s mind raced. He did remember filling out a questionnaire for his application. There had been a mind-numbing amount of questions too. He must’ve spent at least an hour answering everything.

They had asked him to answer the typical things. His desired pay rate. His level of education. His citizenship. His resume. Nothing had been out of the ordinary. He had seen those questions a million times.

Until he got to the free-response section.

The questions had started off with normal topics such as where he saw himself in ten years or how he would solve problems in the workplace. But then they started asking him questions that involved his morality, his ability to adapt to danger, and his motivations in life.

Sean had thought it to be strange that a nursery company was asking these types of questions, but he had assumed they were intended to be behavioral gauging so that the company could get a better grasp of his character. But now he wasn’t so sure anymore.

“Hold on, you said candidates. That means there are more people like me who qualified.” Sean voiced his reasoning more as a statement than a question. He hadn’t missed a single thing Mark had said.

Mark nodded, pulling out a phone from his coat. Sean’s eyes widened in shock. It was the lastest IXON model that had launched just last week.

That phone is worth more than the current apartment I’m renting. I could pay off a tenth of my school loans if I sold that thing.

Mark’s voice brought him out of his reverie, grounding Sean back in reality.

“That’s right, you’re currently the fourth person to qualify. Every person that has passed the test so far has provided desirable answers. Should you choose to accept, you will be given a special access code to Inside Online. Further instructions would await you inside the game.”

Sean considered Mark’s words. Something didn’t feel right. There was no way it was that simple. Or was it? Was he overthinking things?

“So what’s the catch? Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose you to the media?” Sean countered.

At this, Mark’s countenance darkened. Suddenly, the man didn’t seem so friendly anymore.

Sean realized how stupid he had sounded. Who would believe him? It would be his words against a mega-corporation. He was practically asking to be sent to an early grave. Besides, there was no evidence. He hoped he hadn’t wrecked his chances with Mark Staun.

Sean averted his eyes, inwardly wincing at his blunder. But when he looked back, the glare had been replaced a thoughtful expression. It was as if nothing had ever happened.

“I trust you not to say anything Sean. After all, there would be a rather grand reward for you at the end if you were to participate.” Mark replied, his lips curving up in a smile.

Whew, looks like I’m still in it. Sean thought.

His interest was piqued. Grand reward? Now, this was something he could get behind.

Sean cleared his throat, pushing down his excitement. “What kind of grand reward are we talking about?” He needed to keep a level head.

Mark smiled widened as he rubbed two fingers together. Sean raised an eyebrow. Now Mark was speaking his language.

“How much?”

Mark held up two hands and stared him straight in the eye.

“Seven.”

Seven what? Dogs? Cats? Peanuts? Dollars?

“Could you elaborate? You’re not giving me much to work with here.” Sean questioned. He leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head in an attempt to appear disinterested. He held the cards now.

“Seven figures.” Mark shrugged like it was no big deal. The man nonchalantly swirled his drink around before taking another sip.

Sean’s heart pounded hard against his chest. He couldn’t believe his ears. Sean didn’t dare move his hands. Because if he did, Mark would see they were shaking. He willed his nerves to calm down, drawing a steady breath before speaking.

But before Sean could ask further questions, Mark grabbed a napkin and hastily scribbled something on it. Then he thrust it at Sean.

“Sorry, that’s all the time I have for now Sean. If you decide to participate, just enter the details on the napkin when prompted by the system.” Mark stood up and glanced at his phone, a frown cast on his face. “We’ll talk again soon.”

“Wait, but I don’t even own an Envision--”

But it was too late. Mark had already left the coffee shop, the fading jingle of the doorbell rang in Sean’s ears.

“Module . . .” finished Sean. He let out his pent up breath, half relieved that Mark wouldn’t see him shaking but also half disappointed he didn’t get to find out more.

Sean picked up the napkin and read the messy handwriting. It seemed to be a string of numbers and letters.

S31L9N70S115125T15N. I have no idea what this means.

Sean folded the napkin and put it in his back pocket.

Then he let out a disgruntled sigh.

“He didn’t even leave a tip.”