Freelance Saga: Learning Curves by Scottie Futch Page A

whatever happened
to a signed player was their business.
    Scott signed the contract and the hiring
agent looked it over. When he was done, he nodded and said,
“Alright, that’s all we needed. When is the most convenient date
for you to do your test run?”
    “Test run?”
    “Yes, the quantum transfer protocol requires
that you spend twenty-four hours in-world before you can return
here. Once here you have to remain here twenty-four hours before
you can go there.”
    “Uh, right. I’m fine any time, but if you
expect me to play a game for twenty-four hours straight I’m
probably going to at least need to get lunch first.”
    Jameson laughed at his pragmatism. “Don’t
worry about that. I’ll set you up for test insertion tomorrow at….
ten in the morning, alright?”
    “That’s fine. When do I get paid?”
    The shark-like smile returned. “See the desk
clerk on the way out. We make all of our transactions in cash due
to legal reasons.”
    Yeah, that did not sound shady at all. Scott
chose not to say anything about it, though. He stood up and said
goodbye to the obviously insane individual then left the
office.
    Jameson smiled once more then pressed the
intercom button. “Ms. Havers, please see to the new applicant’s
starting funds, then send in the next applicant.”
    “Yes, sir.” The voice on the other end of the
line was professional, yet excited. They were having a hard time
acquiring qualified applicants.
    The agent looked at the contract and smiled.
“Finally. I was beginning to wonder if the people of this world
were too complacent to want to live a life of adventure. Despite
the nature of their fantasies and popular culture they don’t seem
to want to take chances that often.”
    A knock at his door heralded the arrival of
another potential candidate. Jameson called out, “Come in, it’s
open.”

Chapter 2: The Life
Tutorial

    The next morning came quickly for Scott. He
could not believe it when he had been handed a thick stack of
twenty dollar bills the previous day. The company might be staffed
by whack-jobs but they definitely paid!
    “Scott Hunter?” A young man in a lab coat
approached him in the waiting area. Strangely, he looked like a
younger version of Mr. Jameson.
    “Yes.”
    “It’s nice to meet you. My name is Jameson
Michaels.” The lab technician, as that is the only thing Scott
could feel right calling him, raised his hand and pressed it
forward.
    Scott awkwardly shook hands with the man who
greeted him then followed him to another room. The mystery of his
appearance and suspiciously similar name were allowed to sit idle.
It would be rude to ask personal questions anyway.
    “This is the quantum translation chamber. You
will only need to come here once. After your testing phase, you’ll
be able to freely transition to the other world and back from
anywhere in either world.”
    “Right.” Scott decided that he would just go
along with whatever they said. It seemed easier.
    Michaels gestured for him to stand in the
center of an intricate geometric design engraved into the floor.
Scott took notice of the gemstones placed in key locations and
could not help but smile at the extravagance. Obviously they were
cut glass. Even a company this out of touch with reality would not
cut and fit diamonds and rubies the size of his fist just to show
off their new game system.
    “The system is ready. There will be a slight
electrical feeling and a sudden jolt when the transition takes
place for the first time. When you arrive at your destination just
follow the message prompts. This time you will automatically return
to this location after twenty-four hours. We will provide an
evaluation of your efforts at that time.”
    “Sure thing, I’m ready whenever you are.”
Scott smirked at the lab technician and then waited for the dog and
pony show to end. This was interesting, and they’d paid him a lot.
Still, how long could the farce go on?
    “Right. Have fun. See you when you