Chapter 2
The ride home was jovial at worst and a riot requiring police action at best. Chase was the reigning king of gaming for the 3 year in a row, earning him not only the 1st place trophy, but the "hat trick" plaque from the GGF and enoughf credits to pay for rent and school for the next year.
Feeling rather drained, Chase was reclining in the passenger seat dozing. Joe, anticipating Chase's condition, had offered to drive his support staff to their respective homes, Then head back to Chase's apartment for a much deserved pizza, coloian ale and good night sleep.
Joe asked, "Where is the shield switch?" "It's the one on the right. Be right back I'm checking the fuses." Chase said heading for the door to the basement.
The basement of Chase's apartment was more or less average. There was your usual 10" TV, couch, mini fridge, 20 or so boxes with various labels and a variety of items that he could not remember buying. Ok maybe not usual, but then again Chase never was average. He could hear Joe fumbling around the freezer looking for the pizza.
"Where is that fuse box?" he said to himself. Chase pulled a cell from his pocket, flipped the top and proceeded down the steps, his improvised flashlight guiding him. The fuse box was in the far corner. As he moved towards it, an odd piece of plastic caught his eye. "So that's where my GameMaster was!" Chase thought. "Lets see, plug the AC cord into the outlet and power!" Apart from a click, nothing happened.
"Whos there?" Chase said, nearly losing his balance. Nothing. "Oy, I really picked a bad time to go decaf."
By now the adrenaline for the game had dropped off a bit. He quickly swapped the bad fuse with one of the spares he kept in a small red bucket, then moved back to the couch, plopping down in fatigue. "You all right down there?" Joe yelled leaning on stair rail that led down into the darkness "Yeah, I'll be right up. I found my old GameMaster and I want to see if it still work." Chase reached for the power button. CRACK! Lightning struck the house with incredible force and the thunder shook the very foundation of the building. "AGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!" Chase and Joe screamed in pain. Joe fell down, his mind spinning. Chase, just fell down.
Joe woke up half an hour later still in pain. He hobbled over to the phone. "911 emergency. Is every thing all right?" said a young female voice. 'Damn an intern' Joe thought. "Yes I think my friend is unconscious. He went down to change the fuses but then lightning struck and I heard screaming just before I went under." "Have you checked to make sure?" "DAMNIT! GET AN AMBULACE DOWN HERE NOW! LAST TIME I SAW THE CLOCK IT READ 5:30!"