“Good idea, Gus. I might have to do the same thing.”
“I didn’t think you creatures of darkness take naps.”
“Now you’re just being mean.”
Chapter Ten
Fan interaction
Nick sat next to Jean in the front row, where they would use the wired in pistols attached to the seats to kill zombies on the screen. The seats rocked and moved in harmony with action on the screen. The vehicle they’re imaginarily in on screen crashes into other vehicles, down mountainsides, and into graveyards – all the while being attacked by zombies. They had unlimited ammunition, but the twenty players needed to watch what color their shots showed on the screen as. It was their second time through. Tina and Rachel hated it, refusing to go for another zombie hunt. Gus stayed out with them. Nick had scored the highest point total the guys running the 7D Experience had ever seen. Jean came in fifth out of the twenty who were mostly adults.
Nick leaned over. “Remember Danger, only headshots kill zombies.”
Jean acknowledged Nick’s reminder with a quick nod. She gripped her pistol with both hands for the practice target prelude on screen. The practice prelude to the zombie hunt helped the players acquaint themselves with firing, and pick out the color shots they discharged. Nick grinned, watching Jean shoot the practice screen targets with complete concentration. Nick had been a little embarrassed at becoming so drawn into the experience. He had fired as if he were in an actual zombie apocalypse. After the timed event, they showed each person’s ranking and score. There had been gasps at Nick’s score. Gus had been a distant second with Jean beating all but two of the other twenty. Rachel had scored number sixteen, and Tina dead last. Tina had screamed during the entire adventure.
During the second run through the zombie hunt, Nick again allowed himself to become immersed in the surround sound, darkened zombie world with rare enjoyment. He stayed away from video games, because his writing was a passion, and video games a distraction. With the special effects now built into home theaters and game consoles, he admittedly was afraid of getting hooked on them. When the hunt ended this time, he was again in first place. Jean scored a second place, her picture on the screen a grinning illustration of cold ruthlessness for zombies.
“You were incredible, Danger!” Nick high fived the jubilant Jean as they let themselves out of their seats. “Everyone in here is an adult but you.”
“I want to go again with Mom or Gus,” Jean stated on the way out. “I bet I could get a first place. Thanks for not letting me win. I hate that.”
“I respect you too much to do that. You’ll beat me fair and square soon enough. You’re a natural. In fact… you’re beginning to scare me.”
Jean giggled. “Can I get one of their zombie hoodies they have on display? I want the black one.”
“Of course you do. You get a free ticket if we buy one. Let’s do it. We’ll both get a black hoodie, and walk to school together with them tomorrow. I’ll talk Gus into one too.”
“Oh yeah!” By then, they were walking by the special glasses return. Jean hurried by to point out the black zombie hoodie. “This is the one.”
An eager attendant came right over, and in moments, both Jean and Nick had their new zombie gear. Gus waited with a big smile a few feet outside the greeting area, where he had been watching the player scores and pictures displayed at the end of each session.
“Gus… you want a hoodie for the walk to school tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah… what the hell... we’ll probably get arrested though.”
Nick bought an extra-large for Gus from the happy attendant. He handed Nick six free session tickets. “Thank you. That’s really nice of you.”
“No problem, Sir. Your last two plays broke all standing records here. Are you going again?”
“I think I’ll let my partners go without me. This is a terrific ride though. We’ll have to make this one of our stops whenever we come to the city.”
“Anytime, Sir. Thanks.”
Nick handed Gus his hoodie, and shouldered his gear pack Gus had been watching for him. “Danger was incredible. I guess you saw her picture in the number two slot. I’m thinking we need to get Rachel to watch or ride with Danger while we go take care of business. Do you need someone to go in with you, or would you like all six sessions for yourself?”
“I don’t mind if Mom goes, but I’d love to do all six! I bet I’ll get a couple of firsts.”