The Stick

Michael continued to stare at the mirror, his jaw slightly open as he tried to process what was going on. "Am I hallucinating?", he wondered. With that thought flitting across his mind, the text in his vision changed again.

<<Phenomenon can be interpreted as an augmentation of reality, as playback has been superimposed on the signals being transmitted through the optic and cochlear nerves.>>

"Ah, that... makes sense... wait, playback? So that was a recording? And you can actually read my mind?" he continued to 'think' in his head.

<<Confirmed. Recording number 001 - "Happy Birthday" triggered upon successful initialization of system and proximity to viable basic interaction surface. Playback completed. Please continue to focus on surface for baseline readout.>>

As Michael puzzled over what that text meant, the figure in the mirror faded out and was quickly replaced by a wall of text.

---------------------

Name: Michael Prout

Age: 14

D.O.B: Sextilis 31

Overall Level: 1

Base Statistics:

Physique: 8

Intelligence: 11

Willpower: 8

Presence: 10

Disciplines:

Student - Secondary I

Tinker - Amateur I

Performer - Amateur I

Labourer - Amateur I

Housekeeper - Amateur I

---------------------

"What the heck?" Michael muttered, looking at the mirror in a bewildered manner.

<<Baseline readout established. Subject's status within minimum acceptable parameters for initial phase... barely.>>

"This is like a Status window from an RPG... but what the heck are these statistics? Physique?"

<<Base Statistics represent approximation of multiple factors and skills to determine state of Subject's ability. As underlying factors and skills improve, Subject's base statistics will increase accordingly.>>

"What are these underlying factors and skills?"

<<Further details will be available as System's capabilities are upgraded.>>

"How do your capabilities get upgraded?"

<<System's upgrades are tied to the improvement of various underlying factors and skills.>>

Stymied, Michael continued to look at the rest of the display. "What are these disciplines?"

<<The System has been provided with an extensive categorization system for use in judging Subject's abilities and proficiencies. As Subject's abilities and proficiencies expand and improve, the System has authorization to provide the Subject with related benefits. Based on Subject's memories, the System has generated initial disciplines where Subject has a minimum required level of associated underlying skills and experience.>>

"I see. I think I can generally understand associated skills for a student, but what's with this labourer thing?"

<<For access to view a discipline's underlying skills, please upgrade System's capabilities.>>

"..."

A few minutes later, the pounding in his head finally receding, Michael stepped out of the bathroom and made his way downstairs, trying to sort out all of the newly received information. As he stepped into his room, the prompt appeared again.

<<Subject's personal territory identified. Evaluating facilities and equipment...standby...facilities evaluated. Status... Poor. Please approach viable basic interaction surface for details.>>

Michael sighed and turned to the mirror next to the stairs.

---------------------

Territory: Michael's Bedroom

Status: Poor

Facilities & Equipment:

Bed => Quality: Average, Status: Unmade

Milk Crate => Quality: Average, Status: Nightstand

Alarm Clock => Quality: Average, Status: Modified (LVL 1), Underused

Humidifier => Quality: Average, Status: Repaired (LVL 1)

Mirror => Quality: Basic, Status: Basic Interaction Surface

Waste Bin => Quality: Basic, Status: Overloaded

Personal Computer LVL 1 => Quality: Average, Status: Modified (LVL 1)

Dresser => Quality: Basic, Status: Disorganized

Wardrobe => Quality: Basic, Status: Disorganized

Laundry Hamper => Quality: Basic, Status: Overloaded

Television & Game Console => Quality: Average, Status: Overused

Shelving => Quality: Poor, Status: Boxes

---------------------

Michael's expression turned gloomy as he looked at the assessment of his personal domain. "I'm 14, of course my room is a mess. Also, what does overused mean? Is my console wearing out?"

<<Based on System's assessment of Subject's memories, Subject has been overusing the game console.>>

"Not you, too..." he grumbled.

<<System has synchronized internal time with available time output. Determining distance and timing... generating first mission. >>

-------------

[Mission: Walk to School]

Description: Regardless of the reason, you're now up and showered with plenty of time before morning bell. Take advantage of the fresh crisp fall air and walk to school instead of taking the bus. Do hurry, as you wouldn't want to be late on your first day.

Reward: Associated underlying skills will receive appropriate increase.

Penalty: System will generate appropriate signals for shame and physical discomfort due to lack of exertion. Laziness will not be tolerated.

-------------

"What?! But the school's like, almost an hour away!" Michael protested.

<<Subject's estimation is correct. Based on calculated walking stride, stamina and endurance, System estimates it will take Subject 55 minutes under optimal conditions. Morning bell is in 70 minutes. System would recommend Subject get dressed and stop wasting time.>>

"What's this about a penalty?"

<<In order to ensure correct and optimal use of the System, the System has been authorized to generate signals in the brain associated with physical and emotional sensation. Would the Subject like an example?>>

"Sure"

<<Generating 10% penalty signal for failure of [Mission: Walk to School]>>

In the next moment, Michael felt an overwhelming sense of failure and disappointment in himself, as if a whole group of people had been counting on him and he'd let them down. In addition, he experienced a nervous energy in legs and lower back like he'd been sitting for an entire day in the back of a car without the opportunity to stretch his legs. It vanished almost instantly, but the aftermath left him with beads of cold sweat on his forehead.

"What...the HELL!" he growled through gritted teeth.

<<System has demonstrated a 10% failure penalty. Playback conditions for recording 002 have occurred. Overlaying data into auditory inputs.>>

A voice Michael recognized from the bathroom mirror started speaking from nowhere. "Hey Kid. Looks like you've met The Stick. It's pretty amazing what our brains can do, it turns out. I told you you'd probably be cursing our name, didn't I? Better do what the System says - it's in your best interest, in multiple ways."

"...Future me sucks."

...

Michael stomped up the stairs, hastily dressed in a t-shirt and jeans with his knapsack in tow, and opened the side door to the garage where the jackets and shoes where kept.

"Leaving already? You don't have to catch your bus for another 30 minutes, right?" Anne called from the kitchen table where she was leisurely reading a book.

"I've decided to walk!" Michael replied grumpily. "Oh! Well... have fun, I guess?" Anne replied, mildly confused. "See you tonight - don't forget, you're on the hook for dinner! And don't burn the rice playing video games again, or they'll make you buy a new pot!" A swiftly retreating unintelligible growl was her only reply as she grinned and went back to her book.

...

As Michael started walking down the road that connected the residential area his family lived in to the area where the school was located, he decided to take the opportunity to ask his new 'room-mate' some questions. "So, if you can override both my sight and hearing, why can I only see the text you write?"

<<Subject has not yet unlocked voice support for the System. Underlying factors and skills have not reached minimum required levels.>>

"Ok... then, what's up with the mirrors? Why can you only show me the statuses and such in mirrors?"

<<Subject is incorrect - mirrors are an acceptable basic interaction surface, but are not optimal nor required. Any flat unoccupied surface would suffice - Author felt that recording 001 should only be played back in a mirror for dramatic effect.>>

"Who would have guessed I would become so dramatic when I grew up..."

<<...>>

"...What?"

<<System did not say anything.>>

Michael covered his mouth with his fist and coughed. "Moving on. Why is my first mission walking to school?"

<<System is responsible for Subject's overall growth and well-being - one subset of missions will be related to the improvement of Subject's health and physique. When a new concept is being introduced, and to encourage appropriate repeat performance and habit development, System will generate a new and potentially repeatable mission in order to reinforce positive habit development.>>

"... does that mean this isn't a one-time thing?"

<<System is not authorized to comment on potential future missions. Missions will only be introduced in the appropriate context.>>

"But what if it rains? Can I take the bus then?"

<<System would like to remind the Subject that a perfectly serviceable umbrella is hanging on a hook next to the exit of Subject's house.>>

"...Future me REALLY sucks."