EAB - EXP 25- Good Help is Hard to Find

E.A Blizzard was a man who did not take things lightly, joining to be part of The Game Changers was not a decision he made without carefully considering the options of it all. Being part of the group however meant that if they wanted Game Changers to achieve anything, to succeed in a single solitary thing they had to be equal. They had to make sure that all members of the group were part of a unit, that meant if one of us was targeted then all of them were targeted.



Such a simple thing may seem somewhat arbitrary but then their fellow roster members seemed more than willing to lump the quartet of Game Changers on their collective shitlist and hitlist it was only fair for them to do the same.



EA: So Lawrence, this situation we have going into EXP 25 against Duncan Shepard and Peter Vaughn. This is a different situation far removed from what our match with Brody Adams and Eli Goode was. You are obviously going to be a prime target for both of them given your presence in the company and the way your success seems to rub everyone outside of the chosen few the wrong way. The self proclaimed Commander has made it crystal clear just how little he thinks of you and what is going to do and considering he is the Final Boss Champion this is not something he can just throw around without at least trying to follow through.Then of course there is Peter Vaughn who now has a chance at the Final Boss Championship, a man who no doubt needs all the momentum he can have going up against Shepard. We need to deliver a message come EXP 25, my friend. A one so clear and loud that even the thickest of the dunces backstage realize that The Game Changers are not here to be their jokes, pushed around and mocked for their entertainment. We are champions Lawrence, examples to the future generations of what a dedicated team with common goals can accomplish.



While he was doing this little speech the big man had made his way to a bar at the back of his office.



EA: Where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?



Larry Tact: I'll just take a water, thanks, Mister Blizzard, sir. You're absolutely right with your thoughts. Whether it's within Level Up, or even someone we humbly extended an invitation to be a part of the Game Changers mission of bettering Level Up, they can't stand the success we've had. Mac Bane turned out to be nothing more than a snake in the grass.



EA: sadly money can’t seem to buy good help these days, such are the times we live in Lawrence, people have no honour.



Larry sneers as he takes a glass of water from EAB, sipping it.



Larry Tact: That's why I value the decision and dedication you, ISAAC, and Drake have made and put forth. It isn't always easy to stand up for something unpopular, like stating plainly how flawed the Developer's methods were and continue to be. That Trent Steel has no idea what's coming. We're only getting stronger.



EA: We are not in a hurry Mister Tact, setbacks are due to happen and if it will take some longer time, so be it.



He takes another sip of the water and places the glass on the table.



Larry Tact: As for Duncan and Peter Vaughn? Yes, this is a prime opportunity for us. Trent thinks those two will dispatch us and deal a blow to our momentum, where our War Games opposition failed to at Doom. In fact, this multiplayer match brings the most egregious offender of Trent's 'philosophy' to us, in Duncan. The Developer forced me into a situation where I had to face Duncan on a moment's notice, otherwise be banned from The Last of Us gauntlet without even being able to fight out of that awfully undue punishment. On top of that, Duncan was untouchable to us until his Final Boss Championship match. Another kindness from the Developer– go figure! Now, Trent knows there's no protection left for Duncan, and he's decided to try giving him some way of saving face by putting him in a match. That's almost sure to backfire, especially given he's teaming with someone who he can hardly trust.



EA: Not in the same way we can trust each other for sure. Vaughn could use this situation to gain advantage on Shepard but if he were to do something like that then that would mean Duncan would already see him coming, expect to not trust him in their own match. If I was a gambler or a person who took chances, I’d put money down on Peter being on his best behavior not just to kiss up to Duncan but because seen as someone who goes against some supposed villains such as us or the pretend public enemy #1 they see you as is good for his reputation.



Larry laughs, smirking.



Larry Tact: Trent wants to allow Duncan to have eyes on Peter Vaughn if he's coming for him. Honestly, I don't know how anyone sees that as anything but trying to defeat the purpose of the Game Genie from its start. But we need to be cautious, on the off chance Vaughn decides he wants to go after one of us and our titles. It's possible Trent sees this as a way of enticing Peter away from his precious poster boy, the Final Boss. If Vaughn were to try us, of course, we'd decimate him. Still, it's good we're discussing strategy.



Blizzard nodded along heading back behind his desk while listening to Tact voice his opinion on the situation before speaking up.



EA: Well as far as Mr. Bane goes, he was a mercenary meant to even the numbers against our opponents given his closeness to Kat Jones it was a risky bet to take on. However what he did was after the match after fulfilling his obligations in the match. However if I may suggest going forward if we do mean to add to our numbers we have to consider a lot more closely and thoroughly who we add to our side. Victoria Salinas was an ill fit we’ve made two mistakes, third time will be different Lawrence, people have been given chances they didn’t deserve opportunities that they did not deserve, we are better than this. The four of us are better than that as a whole and given how many people want to hang our heads and championships on their trophy walls it’s only smart to play safe with them. Last thing we need is to get some upstart jump on us when we aren’t expecting them looking to make a name for themselv–



Before he gets to finish the door the reception area opens up and a man with headphones on and work overalls steps in. His face turns white as a sheet when he sees the two men.



Janitor: OH FUC- I’m sorry Mr. Blizzard, I thought nobody would be in here at this time and.



The nervous man watches frighteningly at both Tact and Blizzard, dropping his headset to his shoulders, the nametag on his uniform simply said “Mike”



EAB: Listen pal, the first thing about manners that you should have been taught would be to at least knock before you enter a room, especially given how this is a place of business. Second thing you should know is to wait before you are sure there is nobody there that you are disturbing, yet here you are. Stumbling into something that you have no business with and, while you are paid to clean up in here, you are doing so while listening to..



Janitor: I-I can explain!



Blizzard holds up a hand, stands up walking to the man and yanks his headset keeping it at a distance from his own ears.



EA: What is this you are listening to.. Michael?



He said, catching the name from the uniform.



Janitor: It’s a video game soundtrack sir. I’ve spent a lot of hours playing it and it has got me hooked, so if i’m not playing I’m using the music from the game to motivate me to do better.



Blizzard pushes the headset back to Mike glancing at Tact before turning back to Michael.



EA: And YET you choose to do that while working for me allowing this music to distract you from being vigilant and doing your absolute best, maybe I should have your pay cut for a while so you learn that this is a place of business, one where you are hired to do your job. You are here to do that and JUST that, I am not paying you to enjoy yourself, I am not paying you to have a good time as you do it. There are others out there who would happily have your job Michael how do you justify this blunder of yours is any video game really worth risking your employment?



Larry Tact: I have the same problem with some of the janitorial staff at my company, Mister Blizzard… and don't get me started on the interns. They clock in, go through the motions and practically coast because they've chosen to settle for something they know they can accomplish for pay. They lack ambition to strive for something more. We should show Michael here where settling gets you in life.



Larry shakes his head disapproving at Mike the Janitor, who looks pleadingly back.



Mike: W-wait! I do want more, I swear. I've been listening to this soundtrack because I'm obsessed with the game. In fact, I'm going to become a professional e-lete.



Larry cocks an eyebrow at this.



Larry Tact: How in the devil do you expect to become elite when–



Mike: No no, not elite. E-lete, as in e-athlete. I'm gonna game my way to millions! But I need to get better still. I'm listening to the soundtrack to vibe…



EAB and Larry exchange a look of disdain, but Mike continues.



Mike: My team has been trying to go after hordes and taking them out in record time. We want to record our walkthroughs and post them online to get people behind us. Cool idea, right? It'll definitely be a moneymaker! There's just one group we haven't been able to set the record against.



Larry rolls his eyes as Mike takes a broomstick out and begins twirling it like a staff, even swinging it as if attacking while he lists off his foes.



Mike: Collectors? Smashed 'em! Cerberus? Smashed it! Gerth? Smash–



Larry Tact: Yes, yes, we get it. You sound like my infant daughter, wanting to smash everything. Do you have a point?



Mike: Uh, yeah. Reapers.



EAB: The kind who claim souls and pass judgment to send them to Hell!



Larry Tact: I'm a fan.



Mike: No, don't you know about Ma–



The two Game Changers give a cross look to Mike, who immediately reconsiders his sentence.



Mike: Nevermind. What I'm saying is, no matter how many times we try, we can't seem to break through the Reapers fast enough. They're the only black mark against us.



Larry Tact: Mike, let me tell you something. Even if you should do what you need to get by the Reapers, or whatever, they won't be gone for long. They'll rise back up again, and again, and again. Do you know why? Because you aren't setting out to destroy them, only escape past them. The reality is, you know you can't put them down for good.



Mike: Okay but, the point of the game is just to beat them for a period of time. It's like a beat the clock challenge.



Larry Tact: Yes, but if you know you aren't truly better, it'll be in the back of your mind, and prevent you from even achieving that record time. The Reapers are in your head, kid.



Blizzard smiles like a lion watching a stumbling Gnu when he looks at Mike.



EA: Michael I suggest you take what happened here today as a free lesson in life, embrace this chance. If I ever and I do mean ever catch you acting up like this in this company again and especially in my office, you will not be an e-lite you will be obsolete, do you understand me pal?



The future E-lite nods furiously.



Mike: Yes sir Mr. Blizzard thank you sir and….



He looks at Tact



Mike: I don’t believe I know your name yet sir.



EA: Nor will you, just be thankful he wasted his precious time on even acknowledging you, this is a meeting you can look back upon and revel in your later years as the moment when you got noticed.



Mike hangs his head sheepishly.



Mike: Thank you to you too sir.



With a dismissive wave of the hand Blizzard sends Mike back to his work, after closing the door to the reception area he sighs looking at Tact.



EA: As I said Lawrence, good help is so hard to find with money these days.





The scene opens to something you may have seen before: a view of a large, skybox corporate office, straight out of the corporate mastermind villain’s base from a movie. This is no movie though, this is the reality, the environment to which the star of today’s scene, E.A. Blizzard is accustomed. The room is beautifully adorned with rare art pieces, a huge oak desk behind which sits the aforementioned man; the large city skyline through the huge windows behind him is not even enough to detract from the aura of the huge, imposing man sitting front and center. A woman, apparently a secretary, scurries out of shot with a sharp hand wave from the man, no words needed, a command of all around him. A command of you watching, as his steely eyes meet the camera, and he begins to talk; dominance and power integrated to every syllable of his speech.



EAB:Well that was something wasn’t it? DOOM that was foretold by so many, such vile threats and insinuations of the impending doom for the Game Changers and look at what happened. The actual unit, the quartet of talent that we are, pulled it through despite nobody seeming to believe in us and Mac Bane or handpicked handyman decided to go for business for himself post match..was less than ideal. However as unwise as it was in the business sense for Mister Bane to do what he did it is understandable very noble of him to get revenge on poor Kat Jones, chivalry is not dead ladies and gentlemen that much is true. Of course one could wonder if this brotherly love is true and just or is it just doubt in Mac’s eyes and the eyes of others that Kat Jones the Hellcat herself would ever need anyone to fight for them, take revenge for them? Well I am not here to decide on that or make any assumptions, I can wonder though, right?



He leans back on his chair, looking real comfortable.



EAB: Now I do have a match of my own but in the true spirit of sportsmanship I would like to extend my best of luck to both fine competitors Miss Kat Jones and Dionysus on their match as someone who has faced both of them in matches before I am more than capable of promising that this will be a great match for everyone. Regardless which one of you fine people will end up fighting and earning your way for a shot at my coveted Courage Championship, anyone with a pair of eyes and more than two brain cells realizes that will be a match for the ages. However that is a matter to be discussed at another time because as I mentioned I do have a match of my own coming up in EXP 25.



He lays the Courage Championship on the desk and puts his palms on the sides of it.



EAB: That match in question places myself and the ungovernable leader of Game Changers, Mister Lawrence Tact on one side of the ring and the Final Boss Champion Duncan Shepard and Peter Vaughn on the other side of it. What an illustrious selection of fighters it is, three of the four are champions and even the fourth one is up for a chance to become one over his win at DOOM. Can the Commander stop the Superstar is a question for the other day but can the Commander trust the Superstar is a very interesting question for one to ponder. In multiplayer matches trust is in key position for a good team. I know I can trust Mr. Tact, I don’t have to wonder if he is going to attack me trying to get some sort of an advantage going forward. I don’t have to spend a single solitary moment on anything except the task at hand that is this match we have. It is not going to be like our match against the Wayward Sons, champions in their own right but this is on a different level. One does not simply choose to become Final Boss Champion, it is a grand task and takes more than hopes and dreams to make it to the mountain top of this company. I faced Magdalena Lockheart during her run as the top champion, there have been a few of those champions since but from what I understand they were all in that position for a reason. So to wonder if Mr. Vaughn, Superstar or not has a chance to topple Shepard is a novel concept. If I was in the position of the Commander I would keep an eye out just for my supposed partner, I mean why take a chance, right?



Blizzard’s fingertips drum on the Courage Championship for a moment and we see a glimmer in his cold eyes as he leans back in that massive chair.



EAB: Heavy is the crown as they say, but the position of a champion is not all bright lights and good times. It always comes at a price, with obligations, expectations and most of all risks. Because even the greatest of friends may just go out of their way to try and come at you, the ones you turn your back on may be all too eager to stick a knife in that back to gain an advantage against you. Leave you wounded, vulnerable and easy pickings for them. That adds to the stress of being a champion, doesn’t it? Oh good commander Not everyone has the support of a group of cohorts such as we have in the Game Changers. So going into the WinTrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois on May 24th it is good for people watching it exclusively on www dot twitch dot tv consider just how much work have myself and others put into making Level Up the greatest it has ever been, how much have sacrificed personally to provide for all of you something far better than you even deserve and is it really right for you to boo, jeer and insult us for doing something good for you. We are treated like vile cretins, villains, brutes and bullies while those you side with, those you cheer on and see as your hand picked heroes are the ones hindering the progress of this company to the next level, throwing wrenches in the works and blocking this wonderful place from reaching its full potential. Who really are the bad guys here folks? And who are the ones who actually deserve your praises and admiration. Time will tell the truth but going forth once thing is just and true that you can bank on, we aren’t called the Game Changers just because it sounds nice, Vaughn, Shepard. Commander & Superstar, we’ll be seeing you this Tuesday, can’t wait for it.



We fade to black on the familiar eerie pearly white grin of Blizzard’s