Flor looked at the tiny animal in her grasp. It was wearing a key on a ribbon as a necklace. Flor untied the ribbon with one hand and took the key then presented the rodent to Kiran. “Here’s your mighty beast. Sure it’s going to eat all your grain?”

  “Well, no, but yes. He prefers corn, and wheat gives him the runs. I’d rather not have to clean up the trots. Anyway, here’s your other ten coins.” Kiran offered the money. Then he gently patted and scolded the rodent, while walking out of the main entrance.

  “Took you long enough,” said Muffeleta. “Did you get lost?”

  “I took a wrong turn or two. That happens daily?”

  Muffeleta shrugged. “Best I know. I’ve completed it multiple times and the pattern doesn’t change. It’s always around now, also.”

  Flor walked over and sat on the couch next to Muffeleta. “I’m Flor.”

  “I can tell. Call me Muffeleta, or Muff, or Magdalena, or Mags. I don’t care. No one around here calls me anything, and I guess I’ve gotten used to not having a name.”

  “Oh, that’s awful. Are you sure? What do you prefer?”

  “Mags. Usually. Mags is fine.”

  “Sure, Mags. I’m Flor. Not pronounced floor.”

  “Well, not pronounced floor, what’s your plan? Beat this place then abandon it? I’ll tell you, there is a spectacular light show later in the evening if you wait around.”

  Flor said, “My buddy Sparks and I are looking for cats, too. We could stay a bit. I have a…personal…reason not to go toward the monastery or farms.”

  “So, you’re going to head to the keep, then? After this?” Mags looks Flor up and down. “No way you’re ready for it. At level two?”

  “I’m confused. Is it particularly hard?”

  “It’s listed as the pinnacle challenge. I theorize that if someone beats it, we’ll exit the playtest.”

  “Why haven’t we, then? As a group?” said Flor.

  “Well, another theory says we’re kinda meant to be here forever.”

  “That’s unreasonable.”

  “Yeah, it’s gotta be a throwaway theory. But, regardless, we’re here. And we’re trapped. And…it’s not so bad. If you had the chance to be trapped in the Matrix, knowing what you know now, would you?”

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  “You mean that late twentieth-century movie with the kung fu?”

  “Probably. There might be more than one.”

  “No. I don’t think I would,” said Flor. “Who’s to say they wouldn’t also impose stupid restrictions in that setting? Aren’t you outraged at this environment?”

  “It’s better than what I have to go home to.”

  “Oh.” Flor stuttered. “I’m sorry to hear that. Where, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Romania. But don’t be sorry. It’s just something we deal with. I wish my sibs were here with me.”

  “Where are they?”

  “I don’t know. We all signed up, but I don’t know if they’re on this server. I can’t chat with them, but I’ve sort of adopted Kiran and Surya as sibs to fill the gap.”

  “I’m not sure what my party allowance is, or if you can party yet, but you can join me and Sparks. We’ll be together, or at least available. I know these characters have a life about them, but we are, or at least I think we are, all real people. So we can try to progress together. Get out of the playtest back to reality.”

  “Floor. I don’t think I was clear. I don’t want to leave. I just want contact with my sibs.”

  “Oh. So, me finishing the game interferes with that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Why not leave then come back in? Where it doesn’t affect those of us who want to leave?”

  “You think I could afford that? I’m sitting in an internet cafe on rented equipment. Maybe now for weeks or seconds. Who knows? But no I don’t have the money to whisk myself and the sibs away to live a life that we should live, only to crash back into reality and find ourselves with our backs aching and no real food to fill our bellies. This is the most ideal situation I could find myself in for self-preservation.”

  “Even without your sibs?”

  “Even without them.”

  “So, why are you helping me?”

  “Helping you complete this lighthouse? I don’t think I could stop you. A level zero versus a level two is madness. You’re going to solve it whether I help or not. I’m not a dick, I’m just not inclined to what it means when you move on.”

  “That’s unusually realistic.”

  “I’m poor, not dense.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply. But, I deal with community economics on the other side. Maybe I can help out, somehow.”

  “Get bent, narc. I’m not resisting here, but I’m not selling out my community to a manager.”

  Flor sat in silence. Mags did also.

  Flor said, “That’s fine. Just don’t tell me where you’re from. There will be no way I could interfere with your real world. I’ll…I’ll get out of your hair. I take it this key unlocks something?”

  “Wind the clock on the fourth floor, then solve the puzzle,” said Mags. “Oh, and, I guess, thanks. For not being overly a jerk.”

  Flor nodded and moved up the stairs.

  The clock on the mantel was dead. It wasn’t large, but it was easy to turn around. There was a tiny keyhole spot on the back which Flor realized the key she had gotten from the mouse fit perfectly. Flor realized it wouldn’t have been too hard to modify without the key, either. She set the clock to the correct time and then a blue glow spread out from the clock around the room. Flor heard a grating sound and spun around. The cot in the corner started to rise from the ground.

  She walked to it and pulled off the sheets and pillow. Underneath was a table that flashed into a three-by-three puzzle. Flor looked over the map which showed the rough outline of the tower. Flor popped the lock and the puzzle became more real. There was a block that looked corrupted next to the popped ring labeled “dump.” It can’t be this easy. Flor moved the dump toward the ring.

  Remove Dump? Yes/No?

  Flor selected yes and the piece disappeared, then the puzzle disappeared.

  Puzzle complete. +1 to Sliders.

  Attempt puzzle again? Yes/No?

  How many times do I have to tell you no?