Mind Games

The Perpetuation of Stories

"Hey, Marlene."

I smile weakly at the man looking at me through the computer screen.

"Hey." I reply. "How are you doing?"

"Getting better." Mark says. "You?"

"It's taking a while." I murmur. "They finally managed to sue the designer. He knew before we sat on those chairs that there was no way a human could enter virtual reality without carrying the memories of the experience – especially the shit we went through."

"Well, we have a new winner for the Douchey McDoucherton award." Mark states. I let a faint giggle slip past my lips.

"I'm still missing you." I admit. "We need to get together soon. Six months with only Skype is too long."

"I have to agree." Mark nods.

"You're in a car." I remark.

"That I am." Mark agrees.

"Heading somewhere fun?"

"It'll be one of the best experiences of my life." Mark smiles.

"Wow. I envy you." I murmur. "But I'm glad. You should have fun."

"You're really sweet, you know that?"

"And I'm hearing this from you?"

I pause for a moment. It looks like Mark just passed something – Naw. Couldn't be.

"Something wrong?" Mark asks.

"Nothing." I say. "Probably just my eyes playing tricks on me."

"What? Do I have Foxy breathing down my neck?" Mark jokes.

"Nothing like that." I smile. "Actually... It almost looks like... You're going through streets that are very familiar to me."

"Really?"

At this point, Mark turns his phone.

"My dear Marlene, whatever gave you that idea?"

I gape at the image he's showing me. No way... No way!

I roll off my bed, scrambling, yelling to the entire household.

"Oh my God! He's here!"

"Who?!" My mother asks, concern in her voice.

"Mark! Mark's here!"

I tear the door off his hinges and see Mark. The taxi pulls out as he grins and waves at me. I run straight up to him and pounce. Mark swings me around, laughing almost as loud as I am. I'm sure we're bugging the hell out of the neighbours, but there are only two who're nice - the rest can go to hell and deal with it! Mark's here!

"Mark! You're here! What are you doing here?! Oh my God, you're here!"

"Everybody, this is my amazing, beautiful, clever, witty, spontaneous, sweet and adorable girlfriend, Marlene!" Mark exclaims, holding his phone up. He's recording. "And might I add, she charges like a rugby champion."

"Dammit, what are you doing here?" I ask again, hugging Mark tightly around the neck.

"Proving to the world that I can get a girlfriend." Mark states. "And just how awesome the girl who chose me is."

"I thought you only liked girls who could crush your head like a walnut between their thighs?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"I really don't want to see you try." Mark says. He winks at the camera and says: "She's small and thin, but she's really freaking strong!"