Chapter 2 Part 2

“Ugh I think I ate… hip too much.”

Both Cris and the hobo were belching as they paying respects to chef by not holding back any of their compliments. The table was completely void of any food. They clean their plates leaving nothing left and stack them up. A few moments later the cart came back and they put the empty dishes on it. Now with both of them having their fill they were sitting back relaxing.

A screen pop up on the table.

[WOULD YOU LIKE THE BILL?]

Crist tap [YES], a piece of paper printed out at the edge of the table. Cris grab it and took a peak at the damage they done.

Oooooh, we went a bit overboard but whatever it’s for a good cause. It’s good to keep business records for events like this. Hip. I ate too much. I am so tired now.

Stretching and yawning Cris looked over at the hobo return the yawn with his own as he slump his head forward. Cris put down the check and tried to slide it to the middle, the check overshot its intended location and landed in front of the hobo. The hobo picked it up burped and put it back down. He slide right back at Cris and put his hand on the table trying to get up. After a few attempts he came crashing back down and just lay on his side of the booth.

Where did he want to go so fast? Bathroom? O damn, look at the time. Its almost 11.

At the end of the table where the check came out was a digital clock on the table. Cris never noticed the clock before and move closer to the open end of the booth. He stuck his head and looked around. The restaurant was empty and a few sections were dark.

Guess they are closing. Crap, I need a place to stay. Maybe Loco will knows a place or I can crash here… Where is Loco? This smart and VIP table was cool and worthy for an elite like me, but at least check in. I think plenty people saw me caring for the hobo. But now what to do we do with him.

Brisk footsteps could be heard as they were closing in on Cris’s booth. Loco show up, she stood over the table looking for anything out of the ordinary and then she looked at Cris.

“What did you do? I got a notification from the table.”

Her voice was low but strict due to the fact there were a few remaining guests finishing up. Cris with his belly full and a bit tired was sluggish to reply to Loco.

“Hey Loco, thanks for the awesome table, food was good. Do you know a place where I can stay?”

“What?”

Loco pick up the check which was at the end of the table. She stared in horror at the amount, her nostrils were flaring as turned her gaze to Cris.

“You…you…how? You ate this much?”

“Not just me. But don’t worry you will make that back 100x over when it goes viral. By the way did we get any positive feedback?”

Cris tried to reassure Loco the cost was worth the future gain. He stretch out and yawn as he was getting sleepy. He look at Loco with drowsy eyes and couldn’t help but stare at her.

How did I get so lucky that I got such a pretty and awesome fan?

Loco took a deep breathes trying to calm herself. The last remaining guests left the restaurant leaving them alone.

“How could you… one of those… use this table?”

“Ah, that goes to our hobo over there. He figure it out in no time. He is not as bad as he smells. Guess he was useful in more than one way.”

They both look at the hobo who happen to be rolled over sleeping snoring like a boar.

“Yup, I kept the hobo in line and made sure he didn’t do anything strange….”

Loco slam both of her fist down almost breaking the table, it was the final straw that broke the camel’s back, and Loco would not have any more of this.

“I DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT SOME HOBO.”

“I know he smells but you should be nicer.”

She turn to her heard and stare intensely at Cris, he was confused about the sudden outburst. Loco taking notice of how dense and clueless he was with the current situation, slowly approach Cris until they were a hairs breathe away.

Cris became extremely nervous of how forward Loco was being now. She was putting him in an uncomfortable position by being this close. He could feel her breath on his face and her piercing passionate eyes staring into his. His heart started to beat fast as the urge to sleep quickly faded.

What is going on? Why is she so close? Is she going to confess?

His mind was racing with all the possible outcomes this could lead to and how he should react. She open her mouth and in a very calm, soft but direct voice spoke to him.

“It’s my job.”

It’s my job?

“It’s my job to be nice.”

It’s my job, to be nice? It’s my job to be nice. It’s my job to be… O SHIT.

Cris gulp, it finally hit him. The look on Loco was very sweet with a pleasant smile but to Cris it was a menacing expression. His heart was still racing but for a different reason, a sinking feeling in the pit of stomach was slowly crawling up, choking his next words. He broke out in a cold sweet and felt like he was going to hurl of how bad this turned out.

“So, I am going to have to pay?”

Loco was still smiling as she nodded.

Cris looked over to hobo for any signs of hope, he was still sleeping knocked out cold. Cris pointed at the hobo as he made his last ditch attempt to save himself.

“It was all that hobo’s idea I…”

As Cris try to sell out his buddy but Loco would not hear any of it, she slammed her hands on the table again.

“Don’t lie to me. I HATE GIVING AWAY FREE MEALS MORE THAN ANYTHING!”

Any image Cris had of Loco before was completely destroyed in this moment. She looked extremely pissed and was almost ready to strangle Cris if he said one more stupid thing. Bringing over a chair from a nearby table she planted it right in front of the booth.

“Looks like nothing change since this morning. Which means you’re still broke. And I highly doubt the fuzzball over there has anything of value.”

Loco took a seat and stared off in space, Cris sat there in contempt waiting for what she was going to say. The hobo still snoring in the background did not help ease any of this tension. Loco let out a big sigh and crossed her arms as she looked over at Cris.

“What to do. It’s too late to put you to work. Too late to call your parents to come pick you up. The ferries are close until morning. Too late to sell off your stuff. Too late to turn you over to the cops.”

Hearing the last part Cris cried out, pleading with Loco not to pick the last option.

“NO! Anything but that. My life and career would be over.”

“SHUT UP! You’re in no position to talk… ugh… so I guess it’s just too late. Guess it can’t be helped. BRUNO GET OVER HERE AND BRING SOME STRONG ROPE!”

Something came running towards them at incredible speed. Within a few seconds a short person show up holding some rope.

Peanut Head?

In a funny accent the short man offer Loco the rope that she demanded.

“Here it is Ms. Loco. What do you want me to do?”

Loco nodded acknowledging Bruno and that the he brought rope would be adequate for her next part of her plan.

“Tie them up and toss them in the basement storage room. We will solve this in the morning.”

Cris getting up objected to this idea.

“You can’t tie us up and toss in the basement we are huuuu…….”

Bruno tackle Cris to the ground before he could finish. Within seconds Bruno hog tie Cris and did the same to the hobo. Loco walk over and to check the ropes. She tighten and loosen some areas making it easier for Cris to breathe but harder to move. She did the same for the hobo.

“Make sure you lock up, Bruno. I’m heading home. Also, lock the basement after you drop them off.”

“Yes, Ms. Loco. Are you sure about the basement?”

“Yeah, I have no problem leaving someone there for the night.”

Bruno pick up Cris and the hobo placing them both over his shoulders.

How can a little man be this strong? What is going on!

Cris was terrified, he had no idea what was going to happen to him. Squirming and flailing around he was trying to break loose of Bruno grip. It did not work and before he knew it they reach a door. Tossing the hobo aside Bruno open the door and took both of them downstairs. It was a dusty with no windows and only a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling for light. There were a few boxes and old newspapers off the side but beside those it mostly empty.

Bruno laid out some newspapers and laid both Cris and the hobo next to each other.

“You guys stay here tonight. And don’t try to escape, Ms. Loco is a bit crazy when it comes to her restaurant. I will get you in the morning, good night.”

Bruno went back upstairs and turn off the light. Leaving Cris alone in the pitch black basement with a snoring hobo.

The sound of footsteps could be heard, a second later it was dark and door slam shut. Leaving Cris and the hobo who decided now was the best time to stop snoring in the dark. With no windows it was pitch black and it was so quiet one could hear the sound of a pin drop.

“Why, just why.”

Cris was sobbing he couldn’t hold back his tears, maybe from the dust or the day he had. He could no longer contain his thoughts.

“This city, Gamer Central is supposed to be for gamers, I don’t understand.”

He managed to swing himself to his side. Tears were running down his face as he just lay there staring into the blackness.

“I…I… I’m good at games. I beaten pro gamers, I climb to the top. I’m good. I’m GREAT and yet…”

He did not want to finish the last part. That thought, those words if he uttered them it would destroy him. Sporadic thoughts of what he achieved and accomplished flashed through his mind, making him question what he did wrong. With a small cry, he admitted he may have been wrong but it was not fair.

“I just want my shoootttt… I know I been acting like a bit of an asshole but…butttt…but there is no other way.”

He was getting angry, the system this city must be rigged there is no way someone like him could fail like this. He saw how his idols and role models acted and how the world opened up for them. They were like him but why was he being treated different. The severity of the current situation finally hit, he screamed into the darkness as he cried out it’s not fair.

“You need confidence. You need skill. YOU NEED TO STAND OUT! AND NOW IM TIED UP IN THIS DIRTY ASS BASEMENT. NOT KNOWING WHAT THE HELL IS GONNA HAPPEN!”

Cris slam the side of his head on the floor. It wasn’t hard enough to cause it to bleed but it did give him a monster headache. After a few moments in pain down and staring at nothing he calm himself. Being pissed and hurting himself will get him nowhere or change his current situation.

“I came here to Gam… Axis for a new start. I wanted to…”

Having a moment of weakness, memories of his past flooded Cris’s head, and his true reason for coming to Axis. The past he wanted to escape, the depressing cycle he wanted to break. The strict parents who thought games were a waste of time. The parents who always confiscated his games and force him to focus on real life. The friends he made online and always had to leave without saying a word. The friends who would question “what happen to Cris” and then a second later would disappear forever from their gamer lives.

“I… the one thing I love about games. No matter who you are or what is going on. When you start playing one. It’s always a fresh start. An escape of how crappy reality can be or is, anything is possible. And that is one of the most exciting things about playing games.”

Fatigue slowly crept into his body as he pour out his emotions. His thoughts grew hazy and his eyes were slowly shutting.

“I thought… Gamer Central was like thattt… a game… a gameee waiting to be…beatttt… I won did toooo beee…”

Cris shut his eyes as sleep finally overpowered him in the end. He could not finish his final thought, the stress from today knocked him out cold.

Tossing and turning in his sleep, Cris was rolling around and eventually hit a stack of boxes. After a few hits the boxes came crashing down on him. The impact woke him forcing him to react.

“The hell… get off of me… what I’m not tied?”

Cris pushed off the boxes and stood up, looking around to see what was going on. There was barely enough light for him to make out the loose ropes by his feet. Noticing that he was all alone Cris started to panic as he was trying to figure out what he should do next.

“The hobo, where is the hobo?”

Cris look at where the light was coming from, the door up the stairs was wide open letting in the light.

THAT HOBO DITCH ME? Wait, this is my chance. I can escape as well.

Cris grab his stuff and ran up the stairs. At the top he peak into the hallway, it was empty, he quietly made his way out only the kitchen was standing in his way of freedom. There were strange sounds coming from it.

Is there someone in there? Can I sneak by?

As Cris lay low near the entrance to the kitchen he heard someone voice.

“Don’t try to leave. Have a seat at the bar. I will be with you shortly.”

Cris stomach sank he been found out. He broke out in a cold sweat as he stood up and slowly made his way to the bar. He did not sit down he stood there staring at the exit.

What should I do? Who was that? Should I make a run for it the exit? It’s right there… I can make it if I make a run for it. I will be free and not go to jail. But what then? What if this gets out? I will be finished.

Cris stood there racking his brain trying to figure out what to do which of the lesser of the two evils he should pick. His mind was racing did he really want to throw away his gamer career or go to jail or worse home for not being able to pay.

Screw it! I am running. Prison is not worth this shit.

Before he could take one step the door open. It was Loco wearing a black fur hat and fur coat. She drop her keys as she saw Cris. She was startled as she slowly move her left hand behind her back as if she was reaching for something.

Crap too late. I’m cornered.

“How, I checked the ropes! They were tied. When did you… DID YOU DO SOMETHING TO MY RESTAURANT!?”

Loco had her hand behind her back and slowly position herself as if she was about to grab something.

“Wait… Wait…Wait…I…I…I”

AM I GOING TO DIE!?

“Hey how’s it going, what’s up with all this? Come! Take a seat. I made waffles!”

An attractive young man wearing a black tank top and gray shorts came out of the kitchen carrying two plates of waffles. His hair was red and tied back into a ponytail, with a neatly groomed red van dyke beard. He was well built with well chiseled arm muscles and gave off a certain sex appeal. He was tall and had jovial looking eyes as he place the plates at the counter.

“Who is that?”

As both Cris and Loco asked in unison.

“Breakfast is served. C’mon, before it gets cold, I promise it tastes good.”

Cris went over and took a seat he would take his chances with this guy while Loco stood her ground observing and asked.

“We don’t have waffles in the freezer. How did you…”

“Tch tch. That’s your first mistake. I made these waffles fresh. Come taste for yourself.”

As the mystery man raised his hand to stop and corrected Loco.

Cris grabbing his fork was mesmerized by the sight he saw, this might be his last meal. Two waffles were stack up with syrup pour all over them with blue berries sprinkled on top. On the sides were cut strawberries and whip cream.

Not needed to be ask twice, Cris dug right in. The waffles were warm, soft and came apart so easy without breaking. The fresh fruits enhance the maple syrup favor and the texture, made it melt in his mouth. He was smiling, his last meal was something really delicious, he would not hold back as he chomp down on his waffles.

This is really good.

Forgetting about the current situation, Cris continue to eat forgetting what happen moments ago.

Seeing Cris reaction Loco concluded her observation and took a seat near Cris. She did not let her guard down but took a small bite. Then she took another quick bite to verify what she tasted. She approved it with a smile but not ready to let her guard down she question the new stranger.

“Delicious, but who are you. I would remember someone like you.”

“Hahaha, you still didn’t guess it. Then how about this.”

The mystery man let his hair down which came to his shoulders and started to moan.

After a few seconds both Cris and Loco figure out his identity. Cris, gag a bit on his waffles as Loco objected to the thought.

“How can you be the HOBO?”

“Hobo that’s a bit harsh, I was one of your valued customers. My name is Blue. And I’m the one you saved from hunger. You have my thanks.”

To show his sincerity and gratitude, Blue gave a small bow to Loco. Not ready to fully trust Blue she acknowledge that he was not lying. However, she was a business woman she would not accept this gesture as compensation for last night meal.

“Well, yeah, you’re Welcome. Ahem. As for the bill…”

“O, I am broke.”

Blue shamelessly admitted his current financial situation without batting an eye. Any hope that the bill would be covered disappeared in that instance.

“Is that so? Then…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll work off my debt butttt. How bout we make this interesting?”

“Interesting? What do you have in mind?”

Blue, gave a mischievous smile as he raise one hand up and slowly pulled something from behind the counter with the other. Loco, a bit hesitate let him proceed without taking any drastic steps. A second later Blue place a pair of extravagant looking sun glasses with something written on the side. Cris not caring continue to eat his waffles.

“This, I just got in town and need a place to stay for a while. Your basement accommodations are perfect for me. This is an autograph VRV of the Axis’s Gladiator Champion Sovereign’s RoadRage. You can hold onto these for now as collateral.”

Loco jaw drop as she snatched the VRV to verify if it’s true. Cris choked from hearing parts of the conversation. This time Blue handed him a glass of orange juice. Cris gulp it down trying to clear his throat.

Champion… RoadRage

Loco inspected every angle of it and place it down and stare at Blue. He had a smug look daring Loco to question its authenticity.

“How did you get these? Did you steal them?”

“Steal? Noooo, I use to be a VRV tech and at the end of the championship a while back there was a lotto. I happen to win the grand prize, lucky right.”

“Grand prize…Win…Lucky…RIghtttt… Well I can’t confirm, but my employee deals with sort of stuff. He can authenticate it. But if it’s real why not sell it to cover your debt... I might be willing to forgive you debt for it and let you stay for a bit.”

Loco still had one hand on it like a dog not wanting to give up their favorite toy. Blue crack a big smile as he pour a glass of orange and slid it to Loco.

“It’s real, but I’m not ready to give it up just yet unless…”

“Unless?”

“How bout we make a bet. If you win you keep that and I work off the debt and you never see me again. Buttt…”

Blue lick his lips as walk closer to Loco and took the VRV.

“If I win this stays with me and mine and the kid’s debt are clear and we get to stay downstairs as long as needed.”

Cris choke on his waffles again and reached for his orange juice. Loco face did not budge she was keeping a poker face until all the cards were on the table.

“So what are we betting on?”

“If this kid can pass the GLT.”

Cris almost spit out his orange juice. After taking a big gulp he turn to look at those two.

“What? Why am I involve in this? And what is this GLT?”

Loco face palm as Blue walk over to Cris and softly whisper in his ear.

“Cause you’re my savior. After what you did to me in the park. I owe this much.”

Blue detach himself from Cris and went back behind the counter. Cris shiver at how close a grown man got to him. He could not shake the thought that maybe Blue knew what he did to him and heard him last night.

What…What is going on?

“The Government Licensing Test, or you may know it as the Gamer License Tag. The GLT a way for an outsider to become part of Axis. Pass it, and you can become a tester for Terminal which means you become a resident here.”

“I see, so that’s what those business owners meant by if your tag. If I pass this I can get a job?

“More than that, you can enter the worlds without restriction. As well as the arena. Where all the glory, fame and riches awaits. And all that cool stuff.”

Arena…Glory…Fame…MONEY…COOL STUFF that doesn’t sound too bad. Perfect place for an elite like me.

Loco started laughing as she heard all of this. After a few moments she settle down and look at Blue.

“You’re on, if those glasses are real we have a bet.”

“Hehe, alright then.”

“However, I have two conditions you can’t give the kid any advice or hints about the GLT. And that you two work until the test.”

“Huh?”

“You’re from Axis, you know how it works. Also, I have to recoup what I lost. Think of it as it working for your current your rent. Have to make it fair, ok?”

“Done.”

Both Loco and Blue shook hands neither one of them backing down. Both of them smiling thinking each other have won before the results were in.

“Undone, I haven agree to this.”

Cris spoke up rejecting this bet and the fact he was being used on a whim.

“You wanna take your chances with the cops than with this chick? OK then I won’t force you.”

“But I don’t want to stay in the basement!”

“All great gamers come from the basement.”

Weighing his options and what happened he had little choice on this matter. Taking a moment to convince himself he reluctantly agreed to these terms.

“Ehhhhhhhh… uhhhh…fine. I guess I’ll do it.”

I don’t want to go to jail.

“Goooood, Let’s eat.”

As they were eating breakfast, Bruno came in and saw Cris at the bar with Loco. He rushed over and slam Cris’s head onto the table demanding how he got free and what he did to Loco. Watching this for a minute Loco interrupted and told Bruno about the bet and what happened. He inspected the VRV and unwillingly nodded that it was the real deal. With the glasses confirmed to be legitimate the bet was on.