sticksandbones | Netbook

What like. The guy?

Like the game. The guy isn't even real.

I can almost guarantee you there is a world out there where pac-man is real. I've met Spider-man before.

Anyway, the therapy clinic has games. Mizuki can probably hook you up.

Spider-man isn't real. There's no way he can be based on an actual guy.

Mizuki has it, but now we have future phones shouldn't there be a way to play it on those?

Denial's gonna be a real problem for you in the long run, you know that right? Like, you kind of just called me a liar to my face.

Did you try checking the app store? You can probably download it.

I didn't call you a liar. This place is weird. Maybe someone took advantage of that and lied to you.

At the mall? I guess I can check it out.

Well, for one, it wasn't in this place. I've been shot around the multiverse multiple times. Second, I was raised by a professional conman so I think I know how to tell when someone is lying to me. Three, dude I watched him do Spider-man stuff.

-Oh no. Sorry, uh. Does the phone have a little shop logo on it for one of its buttons?

Okay. Well, I guess that's cool. I'm not looking for the real deal though.

[He's still not completely convinced, but arguing with someone who's trying to help him is probably not a good plan if wants to get anywhere.]

Maybe. I'm still getting used to using it, but I haven't seen anything like that yet. I've only found ways to send messages or pictures to here so far.

Please elaborate. It sounds like you're trying to put a hit out.

I'm not. It's a game. Usually on an arcade machine, but I've seen it on these kinds of phones before too.

Oh, I can help with that. Neo-Eden has some things in common with my era. Not everything, but some.

It has some things in common with mine too, but it's way ahead.

The phones are like nothing anyone can communicate with in my time.

They're similar to mine, but still more advanced. I'm familiar enough though. Where are you?

Now?

The apartment I got assigned.

Ah, right. Can you meet me in the lobby? I'm not good at explaining things over text.

Yeah. I can do that. I'll be down in a few minutes.

[And he is! Clutching his phone in both hands as he looks around the lobby for her.]

( she'll roll up on her own, immediately sitting down and gesturing for him to join her. )

So, um... do you know where the app store is?

[He shakes his head as he moves to join her, phone still held close as he takes a seat. He does relinquish his grip once they're sat down, tilting the screen so she can see it.]

Someone else mentioned that. There's like a shop logo?

[He has not left the chat screen to discover it.]

Yes, it should be on the home page, so leave the chat. I'm not sure what yours will look like, but it should be easy to figure out.

[Okay. He can leave the chat. Especially with someone who claims to know how they work nearby to make sure it doesn't go disastrously wrong. Min thinks he might even know which one it was from when he's seen the home screen previously?]

That one?

[It's a little image of a shop. So, yes... that one.]

Yes, that's the one. You can search up specific games in there! Though, there might be a lot of knockoffs.

( oh hey, she sounds a little happy. )

[She definitely sounds in her element. Min isn't as comfortable as he was when Ryan was showing him how to use the GIFs, but she knows what she's doing and it's preferable to having it explained to him through text by a long shot.

He does know how to search by now, so it's only with a little hesitation he clicks on the search bar and carefully types. Even with her warning he doesn't expect the sheer amount of games that pop up. Pac-Man itself isn't even visible among the initial suggestions. Some have barely any variation in their name (like P@c-M@n), while others are a little more creative. He squints down at the Haunted Maze, expression twisted.]

Why are there so many?

Capitalism. ( a pause- ) I'm dead serious. Once something is popular or considered a classic, other companies race to make their own copycats and mimics because it's proven to sell, rather than try to make their own original ideas.

Yeah. I know how capitalism works.

[Though he still seems perplexed at just how far he can scroll and still have more. A few sponsored options don't even seem to be related.]

There's just... so many. It's not like people don't make knockoffs where I come from, but this is wild.

My store sells Pac-Man! :)

Like an actual store? Or an app store?

[What is an app store, we just don't know.]

An actual, brick-and-mortar store. With physical games.

Is that what you’re looking for?

That actually sounds better than what I was looking for.

Well in that case, we’re open until 5PM today. I think this phone should allow me to give you the coordinates…?

Probably? It seems like they can do a lot things that are really out there.

[Whether or not Min-Gi will be able to follow those coordinates is a different matter.]

Give me just a moment…

[Beep boop here are your directions, Min-Gi.]

Just ask for Sesa, if you drop by. I’ll help you out.

[Min is pleasantly surprised that the marked coordinates are actually something he can understand. Not many things about this feel natural, and while he doesn't actually get it to give him the directions he also doesn't need to. He knows how to read a map, so all he really needs is the still.]

Thank you. I'll be there.

[And he is! Dressed in a cool-toned outfit from Heimr over anything futuristic. Credits are limited, okay?]

I'm looking for Sesa?

[No sooner is his name spoken does Sesa appear around from behind the counter, wearing an outfit that looks more like it’s come straight from a Bloodborn-esc world than a Cyberpunk one. Nevertheless, he’s hard to miss with that fire-red hair and those massive curled horns.

He comes up to the counter, then, and places a thin case on top.]

You must be the person I was speaking with earlier. I was holding onto this for you.

[His appearance is daunting, but Min-Gi is becoming used to people here not looking how he'd expect them to back home. Sesa seems friendly, and that's what's important.

The game case is actually more surprising to him. He's seen for himself thanks to Mizuki that Pac-Man can somehow play on phones like the ones they've wound up with here, but he still hadn't expected a physical copy to look like this.]

There's a cartridge in there?

That’s right! […] Though…I’m just now realizing I neglected to ask what console you were purchasing for.

[JUST NOW?]

[Look. Sesa isn't the only one who isn't fully prepared for this. Min-Gi's aware he's behind the times, so sort of needs someone to advise him in more than just where he can get the game.]

I've... actually never had one? I need to figure out what would be a good one, and if I could afford one if I picked up the right job.

[Which in fairness doesn't seem hard in Neo Eden even if they aren't quite in the right place to pick up their music career again yet. It's very clear that the currency doesn't add up to the same value he'd expect either an American or Canadian dollar to, but they've been given a head start so it's maybe not impossible.]

Maybe an Atari? Do you have those?

Hmm…old school, hm? I’m sure we ought to. This videogame store is advanced, but at the same time seems to have a lot of the various consoles I’m used to.

[Though what they’d have here is likely an off-brand Atari. It’s called…idk. Atorbi.

Sesa will disappear behind the shelf to start looking, calling back as he goes.]

Feel free to take a look around while I investigate!

[Old school? Maybe he shouldn't be surprised, but even if he knew already things had come a long way he'd kind of at least expected them to last. They've put out at least a few consoles over the years, so he'd figured as time went on the same would hold true.

Somehow the designation makes Min feel older than any of the flashy new games on display out front, but he obediently starts to browse titles as he waits. None of them are familiar to him, and most of them look more like they filmed actual people. It's cool, but so far beyond the realms of the 8-bits he's used to.]

What consoles are you used to?

Me? I’m used to quite a number of consoles, thanks to Mizuki. Though my favorite is probably the Switch.

[Or, well, the legally distinct Nontendo Swetch, as it’s called here. Min might even notice the way he pronounces it is kindof different.]

I’ve never actually played an Atari before. I think the oldest console I’ve played with is the NES.

[He notices the pronunciation, but given his era he doesn't clock there might be anything odd about it.]

I've only really got to play things in arcades before. Which is fun, but it's not like being able to play something whenever you like.

I know the NES though. I've just never had the chance to use one.

Well we do have those in stock as well- [Also legally distinct, of course] -so you’re welcome to pick one up if you’re interested. In the meantime, I believe this is what you needed?

[Now he has the CORRECT game, putting it on the counter and pushing it over for Min’s approval.]

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