Game Plan

The map in the middle of the Universe Theater was sickeningly huge.

“Let’s pick where to go first before those security guards get back.”

Listening to her sister’s request, Katie leaned forward, shooting her eyes around the display. From here, they could go just about anywhere. The analysis paralysis was nothing short of sublime.

“How could I possibly choose? There’s twelve zones…”

“We only have time for five.”

“Huh…?”

“Five days, five zones. Listen, we can go to more after we win if you really want to. Just focus on the game for now and we’ll get out of this a lot better off.”

“Okay then… how about… this one?”

Katie stuck her finger to the dusty, sand-colored lot towards the west.

“Eagle… Frontier?” Frankie read.

“Looks western-y.” Observed Katie, remarking on the water tower and small wood houses printed on the design.

“Yeah, okay. Let’s check it out.”

In the theater, they felt their way around until they spotted the corridor marked with the name of the area- easily accessible, and admittedly easy to find as well- what with all the people in cowboy hats headed that way.

Joining the crowd, the girls found themselves in a tunnel. Walking across a metal bridge, the cylinder wall spun with colorful designs akin to a portal taking them to another world.

“After this, we’ll really be in Kidneyland.” Katie noted as she admired the glowing tube. “And we got a head start, so things won’t be as hard.”

“Yeah. But… that was a close one. I’m sorry for getting us into that.”

“It’s fine. All’s well that ends okay.”

“I worried you though.”

“You did. And now I’m over it.”

“I won’t bet everything like that again.”

“We might have to. You never know… we wanna win, don’t we? Might mean… we have to be ready to lose everything, just the same.”

The tunnel grew darker and darker, the colors on the walls disappearing until they were replaced by the bright light entering from outside.

“Here it is.” She smiled.

“Stick with me, Katie.”

The sisters stepped right out onto the grounds of the sandy town.