CHAPTER-4 — LEVEL UP
USER WORLD(EARTH)
FIVE DAYS LATER
Chaos and mayhem filled the once silent and curious Board Room. The whole new proposal for a foray into AI and Bio-Pharma polarized Board members. Dillinger's faction proved their invisible stronghold over the Resolution, patronizing the CEO on logical loopholes. No reasonable Video Game Company would set foot in Bio-Sciences, unless they're mad scientists, believed Edward. People in favor of the New Resolution could give nothing but their blind support to Sam, owing their allegiances to Flynn and Alan for making ENCOM the gaming mammoth it is now. Only the stubborn and confident CEO of ENCOM knew the importance of the proposition.
Understanding the futility of pointless arguments and assumption of constructive criticism, Sam halted the pandemonium with a commanding voice, concluding that the proposal is put on hold and further discussion will resume after his approval. Silent and drowned in his distressed mind, Sam waited till the room got cleared and instructed Alan to stay back. Alan, after listening through all of Sam's doubts and uncertain ideas, caressed Sam's back and gently pats him, saying: "Every boy turns into a man someday, Sam. But men of authority rise above the avalanche of humiliation and noise of dissent".
QUORRA'S HAVEN
Three hours post dusk, the living room is filled with a yellowish hue despite the darkness enclosed in the house. Sam went for a farmhouse for an adobe, a step up from his childhood home. Alan had a smile when he knew Sam chose the suburbs for home, following his old man. New Year's Eve and Day are moments of grand celebration around the globe, except for the CEO immersed in making his proposal a unanimous "YES". Even New Year's Snowfall admitted its defeat in freezing his anger. Quorra could sense her soulmate being troubled by something which didn't strike her that moment, but feared this issue may affect him negatively. Quietly slipping her arms around his warm body and distressed mind, she opened her Bunny Ears although the corporate jargon and politics flew over her head. As the frustration peaked, her cozy and amorous voice did the magic.
In the end, the fireplace sustained its flames against his inflammable pique. Blizzard of the New Year assisted Quorra in her cuddling, making sure that night is still young for these unspoken soulmates. What started as venting out workplace pressure for straight three hours turned into a conversation of romantic eyes. It's as if they are making up for the missed New Year's moment right now. The magical starry eyes urge to upgrade the dynamics. As they invite one another, the faces pull each other like magnetic poles. A Long Kiss gave way to a Good Night for a fairy tale play. Following their favorite intimacy act, the time for confession has arrived. Sweat from tension and shivering due to cold stroked at the same time, delaying the response equally from both lips. Finally, Sam broke the silence by saying: "You want Jules Verne or Quorra Jr.?". Unlucky for him, Quorra only knew love-making with Sam, unaware that Users in User World don't generate randomly like ISOs.
Following a prolonged awkward silence, Sam finally understood she didn't know about having a child. Explaining to her the whole process would spoil the mood altogether and so came the old-fashioned proposal:
- Will you marry me, Quorra?
- Is that your favorite game, Sam?
- (chuckling) Every boy and girl on earth plays this game. It's just that quitting is bad for both.
- What's the prize for the winner?
- (smiling) There's no single winner, lady. Either we both win or lose…. forget about losing(bites his tongue).
- I still wanna know the prize, Sam.
- We get a baby, sweetheart. Family, kids, movies, trips…. many more to have and experience. The Internet tells so much and shows little.
- Is the baby going to be a User or ISO?
- Let's find out, shall we? (Gently pushing her onto the bed).
- Whoever it is, I need Jules Verne, not another Quorra, Sam.
- (sarcastically)Sure, my love. Any more demands?
- Only two. Stop complaining about Board Guys Sam, they will never get your plan. Kevin gave that Key to you, not them!!
- Done. And the other one?
- Stop talking, Sam. You're wasting the night. (Lights off).