Yeah, let’s do that,I agree.
We’re playing against a team of Mat and Sinc’s housemates: Bergy, Karl Swanson, and Ethan Unger, two of their girlfriends, and Burly.
Once the game starts, we approach their base through the darkened maze.They’ve left the two women there to protect the flag.
No scruples about shooting women, okay?Cleo whispers.
Mats shakes his head, although it’s not clear whether that means he won’t have scruples or he can’t believe Cleo’s intensity.
We sneak in.Cleo and I shoot both women before they can get a shot off, and take their flag.Then we run back and claim our victory.Our team heads out of the laser tag area to relax before the next game.
How did it go?I put an arm around Evie.Her toque is off and her eyes are gleaming and green.She must be having fun.
I got shot and had to go to the healing spot,she confesses.
Oh no.I should have been there to protect you.I feel regretful about that.Next session I’ll stay with her at the base.
We head out to the arcade.Andy and Evie disappear to the washroom, while the rest of us gather in to strategize our next game.
That went great,Cleo declares.You guys did a good job of protecting the base.
Well, one of us did.Sinc looks at me.Why didn’t you mention that your girlfriend is a sharpshooter?
What?I thought she got shot,I reply.
Dude, she got shot because when we saw them coming, she went out to attack them from the back.She shot three of them before Swanny got her.
Really?I can’t imagine Evie being able to shoot anyone.She looked scared when I mentioned guns.Maybe it was beginner’s luck.
Sinc shrugs.
But for the next round, Cleo insists we use the same strategy, so I don’t get to see Evie’s supposed skills.We win again.
For the final round, the rules are changed.We have to go as a group and all of us need to hit the opponent’s target and then return to our base.The first complete team to accomplish that task wins the whole enchilada.
Zee, you ready to go down?Grecs demands.His girlfriend is beside him, and she’s built like an Amazon warrior.I didn’t even know he had a steady girlfriend until he mentioned that Marla was visiting.From what I’ve seen of his social life here, they must have an open relationship, but I’m not going to ask.
I give him a mocking grin.Think you’ve got that backwards.
He eyes Evie in her ninja gear.
Hi Joe,she says.Is it my imagination or is there a little extra saccharine in her tone?
He nods at her and then turns back to his team.Logan Pederson, Coty, Murph, and his girlfriend Caroline are all on his team.Caroline is on the women’s hockey team, so she’s a jock too.
Cleo and I strategize.
Basically, it’s every man for himself in this game, but maybe we should go in couples,I suggest.
She nods.Not a bad idea, so we can look out for each other.Should we go with the people we date or pair up the strongest and weakest?
I visualize this.How would that change things?
Yeah, you’re right.Let’s go with our partners.
It’s probably more motivating anyway.Sinc will do anything to protect Andy.
Yeah,Sinc.Better look in a fucking mirror, Zee,Cleo mocks.
