The Reality Game

In the southern province of the Netherlands, Alec Norman took out his phone and a piece of paper containing the things he wanted to buy. As a result of the massive popularity of VRs, they became very compulsory in schools and among peers.

Alec never wanted to follow the trends of the world. He has a smartphone and a ten-year-old computer, and he was satisfied with that. He went purchasing it as a result of a compulsory project made by the college when he had barely entered his sophomore years.

Ever since his mother tragically died, his father had always tried his best to make him comfortable and tried his best to fund his schooling to college. He was very grateful for that.

Alec didn't interact much with people, if at all. He kept a very small social circle, Ji Hoon and Ji Na, who were both transfer students. Maybe he was overthinking it, but he noticed Ji Na has a crush on him, but he was not certain.

After reading the list on the paper, he wrapped them up in a small book and left his one-room hostel. "Hey, I'm gone, so if you are leaving, make sure you lock the door", Alec said loudly over to his roommate Matt. "Whatever", he replied nonchalantly.

He left the hostel and trekked to the nearby electronic shop. Looking at the money in his hands, he knew it would not be enough to buy him a new VR headset, but a used one is still enough. It was not like he was going to use it much anyway. He only needed it to pass his course.

As he was walking, a Lamborgini slowly zoomed past him before coming to a halt, forcing him to look up. It was a guy studying in the same college as he was, with some girls inside of the vehicle.

"Hey pal, need a ride?" The guy wearing dark shades asked with curled lips, causing the girls to giggle. "No need pal, I'm good", Alec said flatly. He already knew these rich kids would never spare anyone not in their social circle a glance, so he was joking with him.

"Come on, your feet are already disgusting from the dust, come in and have a taste of wealth", he pressed further. "Come on peep squeak, don't waste our time", the girl in the front passenger seat said in disdain.

Alec walked away from the Lamborgini and ignored them. "You snooze you lose Norman. You think acting this way makes you better than us huh? You are lying to yourself, I'm telling you, you are fooling yourself!" The guy in shades shouted at Alec, who had changed direction at a corner.

When he arrived at the shop, he brought out the list and showed it to the shop owner. "You're kidding, right? I mean I am okay with the GPU and whatnot, but the price you're asking for the VR is ridiculous", the man said, looking at Alec sceptically.

"Sir, this is all I have. I don't have much. Consider this prices, please", Alec said without expression. The shopkeeper only shook his head wryly. "I'm sorry, I cannot accept the price for the VR. It's expensive these days, and since the demand is currently high, the numbers available here is limited. But I can give you a ten per cent discount for the Core i7 processor if you like".

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Alec left the electronic shop with disappointment. Having bought all the items on his list, he headed further to another electronic shop to buy the headset.

Unfortunately, the attendant told him it was currently unavailable, and so was the other two shops. Then, he headed home in frustration. Why would this suppose to be his project anyway? He sighed and headed back to his hostel. He would see if he can borrow from his mates.

With that thought in mind, he decided to head back to his hostel. Looking at the time, he realized he was an hour early for the first period. He took a more convenient shortcut that allowed him to reach his destination quicker.

While he was walking back, he noticed an old pawn shop down the street. It looked more like an antique shop to him, but he didn't care. With delight, he walked faster and entered the shop.

"Uhh, hi, hello?" Alec spoke out loud. Looking around, he didn't see any attendant. While he was waiting, he used the time to look at other products on the walls and table.

"Don't touch that!" An old man approached Alec, startling him. "Oh, sorry. I want to buy a VR headset if you don't mind", said Alec, putting the old plate back on its rack.

"Yes", the man said and walked towards the back shop. "Sir, I haven't even told you my price yet", Alec shouted over, but the old man did not reply. Grunting, Alec could only wait for him to come out.

After what looked like ten minutes, the old man finally came out with a package. "Here, take it", the old man handed the package to Alec.

Alec stared at the package dumbfounded. He felt like crying. "Sir, this is not what I want to buy. I need a VR headset", Alec said hopelessly. He didn't think this shop had what he was looking for.

"What do you think this is?" The old man asked, firmly staring at Alec in the eyes. "This.... this is a retro VR headset. When was this even built?" Alec said, handing the package back to the old man.

"A headset is a headset, take it." The man said and walked away from Alec. "Sir, I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'm not buying this headset. What I wanted was the latest kind of this gadget, not a Nintendo Virtual boy that was built in the stone Age", Alec said, but the man kept walking away from him. "Sir, I'm dropping the package here, so..." Alec shouted over and gently dropped the package on the table.

Then the old man stopped in his tracks. He turned around and walked back at Alec with a smile. "You know what, since this thing can't be sold anymore, I want you to take it, for free".

Alec double took the old man. "Thank you, but no thank you", ALec said and approached the door. "Hey boy!" The man barked suddenly, nearly causing Alec a heart attack. "Yes?" He turned back with a raised brow.

"Take the package", the old man said with a gentle voice. "I'm sorry sir, but I don't need this VR. Even if I collect it, it would be of no use to me. I would probably dump it somewhere when I reach home", Alec tried to shake the man off.

"Take it anyway", the old man said and turned around. This time, he didn't look back as he headed to the back of the shop. "I don't want to come back and still see that box there", the man voiced at the back.

Alec was in a dilemma. He wanted a real VR headset, not this crap this man is giving to him, but since he didn't want to cause trouble, he took the box and left the shop with a lingering regret for coming here in the first place.