To: Norman Sikowsky>>Hey man. Wassup?

  >>Rich? Holy shucking fit! What the hell, man? Where have you been?

  >>So, I spent like a week in hospital because I went swimming in some tainted water, then breathed some polluted air. And got beaten up. I was so out of it that I hallucinated I was a dragon.

  >>What the fuck did you do that for?

  >>It’s a long story, and I can’t talk about it. There’s a lot I can’t talk about in general, so watch your step, okay?

  >>Shit.

  >>Good news is that I’ll be back in school soon. Bad news is that my dad’s dead.

  >>Shit, shit shit, I’m sorry man. Wow. That’s... Jesus. You had a week, didn’t you?

  >>More like a day and a half. Two days I guess, before it all settled. Yeah, it was pretty fucked up, but it’s over now.

  >>How are you guys gonna pay for the funeral? Or hospital? Do you need money? I mean it’s a lot of money but maybe my dad can do something.

  >>No, it’s cool. The funeral and hospital are paid for. I got lucky, sort of. I’ll have to more or less pay it back later. But I’ve got a lead on a job in a couple of years, so it’ll work out.

  >>You want me to stop by? I know we don’t do meatspace hangouts that often, but I can do it.

  >>Dude, that’s awesome. Let’s hang once I’m out of the hospital. I’ve got a new address now though.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  >>Yeah?

  >>Yeah. We moved in with Mister Tassle.

  >>We? I thought your Dad was... uh...

  >>Oh yeah. Mom’s back. And we’re living with Mr. Tassle now.

  >>What? GTFO!

  >>No, it’s the truth. He’s got a house man, and it was just him before. He felt guilty... ah, long story, no talky.

  >>Shit, your Mom moves fast. You calling him Daddy yet?

  >>Dude, shut up! It’s not like that!

  >>I mean you could do worse, man. He’s pretty cool as teachers go.

  >>Yeah. Yeah he is. Been teaching me to strip down hardware and build my own rigs.

  >>Cool! So when are you coming back to game? I got so much to tell you man, got a lead on my own pirate ship, maybe! Just gotta liberate it from someone who doesn’t want to share.

  >>...maybe not for a long while.

  >>What?

  >>I have to keep my nose clean for the foreseeable future. Can’t log into that game we used to play. Y’know, Neverquest.

  >>Oh yeah. Neverquest. Well that sucks.

  >>It’s life, man. Honestly things could have worked out a lot worse. I got lucky, and that’s all I can say about that.

  >>All right, well it’s your loss dude. Things are freaking awesome!

  >>Ah dude, if only I could tell you... no, never mind. I’ll get back there when I’m ready.

  >>All right, but I’ve got one last brag to brag. So that uh, lady I was complaining about? We worked something out. Got me a sidekick now. She kicks ass!

  >>Heh! I found a pretty kickass sidekick, too. Well, two of them. One of them’s hot as hell. Hopefully they’re still there when I return.

  >>Let me know how it goes. See you in class, man!

  >>You know it, bro!