Chewbacca

Ethan and Dylan walked across the theatre's outdoor common area. On the right was the theatre, but on the left was the entrance to the mall. The two young men headed for the other parking lot. 

As Ethan was sharing his thoughts about the world, Star Wars, girls, and other random things. Amid a monologue on creating a cybernetic hand, Ethan saw a small version of a Lamda class shuttle sitting in an open area. 

A few people congregated around the shuttle waiting for their chance to enter. Ethan and Dylan read the displays.

"Today only experience a 3D Star Wars game experience! Be a beta tester, the force is with you!" Ethan read.

"Huh, this is pretty interesting. We should check it out," Ethan said. 

"I thought you didn't love Star Wars anymore," Dylan responded smirking.

Ethan examined his friend for a moment, "I don't love Star Wars anymore, but I'm interested in new video game technology, and I'm still sentimental. You know how sentimental I am, remember that coin that Tan Pho gave me in junior high? I still have that coin even though we haven't heard from Tan since the end of eighth grade. 

Besides, aren't you curious about this? I've never played a VR game, from what I remember they looked pretty bad, but look up at the gameplay." 

Ethan pointed his finger at the monitor showing live gameplay, "Not loving Stars isn't the same as hating Star Wars. Hate leads to the dark side, my young padawan." Ethan smirked at Dylan. 

"My apologies Master Deleto, I had no idea you were so sentimental. I seem to remember things differently. Rember that time that Becky Browning Custard gave you a valentine heart with one dollar to --"

"Don't bother trying to mention old history. BBC only gave me the card with the dollar because she felt bad about stealing my Chewbacca action figure. She didn't do her research because the cost of a hard-to-find Chewbacca was at least four dollars. I saw no point keeping an attempt at bribing me to keep me quiet," Ethan harumphed. 

"BBC didn't steal your Chewbacca, that was Henry Gourd Jenkins. You never even suspected him. Your first suspect was Michael Troy Dunning. You were so sure that it was him because the next day after the theft he showed up with a Chewbacca toy. You accused him of being a thief took the Chewy from him, and proclaimed several "matching" scratches on the toy as evidence. He was too stunned to respond.

After that happened BBC stood up to you and challenged you, remember? She asked you how you could be so sure. Maybe someone else took your toy. Then you flipped the table on her and accused her of some complex conspiracy where she worked together with her cousin to steal your Chewbacca. 

You were so confident in what you said that everyone in the class believed you. Then everyone started telling BBC and Michael Troy off for like two days. BBC wanted to get you to have the class to leave them alone, so she tried to bribe you with the dollar and card. You're too stubborn, but still took the dollar and threw away the card. 

When you finally realized Henry Gourd Jenkins was the true man in the shadows, what did you do? Well, you didn't return the dollar, apologize to Michael Troy or his cousin. But you did keep his Chewbacca and made Henry Gourd give you back your original Chewbacca. At the end of the whole thing you had two Chewbaccas, a dollar, and a grateful Michael Troy and BBC because you convinced the class that everyone deserves a second chance."

"Why are you bringing this up now, Dylan? You know how tough first grade was on me! You make it sound like I was some kind of villain, but in reality, I was distracted by the events of Project Magic Night. The alabaster rose of 74 --"

"Sirs, it's your turn. Are you interested in experiencing the new game?" A pretty blond girl in a Princess Leia dress waved them toward the entrance. 

"Of course, princess we were too focused on our conversation. Thank you for your patience," Ethan passed the girl like a breeze but almost tripped at the entrance trying to look cool. Dylan followed while laughing at his friend when he tripped at the entrance and fell on his face. 

"Ha ha, that's what you get!" Ethan yelled back at Dylan. 

When they passed through a curtain, they saw six VR spots. They saw an older man waiting for them.

"Greetings, my young friends. My name is Jedi Master Sy M'tz. Today is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Choose a VR station and experience Star Wars in a never-before-imagined way. The experience is so realistic, you'll think that you are in Star Wars. Take a seat. 

Ethan and Ryan took the only two available seats along the side of the shuttle. A blue light passed over each of them as they settled in. A computer monitor displayed a character page for each of them. 

"Jedi Initiate Gar Finn, interesting. We start from the very beginning. What does yours say?" Ethan asked. 

"My name is Sol Herem, and I'm a bounty hunter, oh, and a Mandalorian! Oh, look! I have an R3 astromech, modified Tie Bomber. Look! A DT57 blaster, and a modified Clone Trooper armor." Dylan was really excited.

"Why does your character get so much stuff?" Ethan asked as he looked at the old man, Master M'tz.

"There are pros and cons with all character categories. The Jedi begin weak but eventually become unbelievably powerful. The bounty hunters start with strong equipment, but their development is more chaotic and limited. They are incomparable to Jedi at a certain point. 

Of course, it's possible to take on extra professions, and modifications, and grow in other ways. The more creative the player, the more powerful their character will become." 

"That's pretty interesting, can we start playing?" Ethan asked. He didn't care, this was a short test of the game. Who knows if he would ever play the game beyond this point? He wasn't a gamer, he couldn't afford it. 

"Certainly, let's place the VR helmet on your heads, and get started. Would you like to play together or separate?" 

"Together!" The boys responded.

After getting the equipment ready, Master M'tz went to a central control station, "Alright, boys, have a good time!"

The boys saw black, but then they heard the iconic music and saw the famous script scrawled at the beginning of all the movies.

"A long time ago in a galaxy far far away..."

Master M'tz watched the boys who disappeared. Their VR equipment fell onto their seats. Smiling, Master M'tz wished the boys well, "Enjoy the adventure, I hope you can do some good."