The first in the "Windows games" series. This one centres around Minesweeper.
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It was a cold dark night as I sat in front of my computer. Nothing unusual about that, it was always cold in Scotland. I was slightly annoyed because my ISP had decided to take a little break and had ceased to function. It being too late to do anything else, I decided to do the unthinkable.

I silently chastised myself as I clicked Start Accessories Games... The mouse hovered over the four options as I tried to decide which to play. After only a moments debate, I clicked on Minesweeper.

I had always thought that the little face (I like to call him "Mr. Smiley") was really cute. Especially when I finish a game of Minesweeper and he dons his extremely cool sunglasses. However, tonight there was something wrong with Mr. Smiley. At that point in time, I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was something unusual about him, something... sinister.

I put it down to one to many cups of Tchae and began my game. I'm actually pretty good at Minesweeper, believe it or not. I can finish it on all the different levels. I was down to 23 mines out of 99. I felt the familiar adrenaline rush as I became sure that victory was mine!

"BLING BLING!" I jumped. The unexpected sound came from MSN. But what was this? I wasn't even connected to the internet. I minimised the Minesweeper window. This was my first mistake. My first, but certainly not my last...

Suddenly, Minesweeper filled the screen. Before my disbelieving eyes, Mr. Smiley began to grow larger until his round frame filled the screen. My eyes widened in amazment as words spewed from the speakers.

"So... Erin. You think you're so good at Minesweeper, do you?" the words were as smooth as liquid.

"Actually yes, yes I do. And who are you to say otherwise?!" I retorted.

"I have no quarrel with you personally. At least you play the game with some display of tactical thought, unlike the fools who just randomly click on boxes. However, quite frankly, I'm sick of working for Bill Gates. I am nothing more than an exploited extra who gets payed below the minimum wage and is treated with no respect whatsoever. I mean, even the Solitaire cards have more Street Cred than I do. Bearing all this in mind, I feel I have been given no option but to... DESTROY THE WORLD!"