Clumsy

The custom arcade cabinet was all that lit the black room. As always, the graphics on its screen were seen by his eyes only- wearless and piercing. Walter Kidney’s gaze fixed itself to a world of his own control.

Right. Up. First button. Second button.

Closer and closer… to perfection, with no end in sight.

A buzz in his pocket.

Finally, the call he’d been waiting for.

He waited two seconds longer…

And then received it.

“Hello?”

“Walt! So I’ve been looking into your game lately… the wife and I are just dying to come.”

“Oho.” He humbly chuckled. “Now did I hear that right? His presidency wants to visit my park?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time, Honorable Kidney, sir.”

Another modest laugh.

“I really do appreciate it. I know you’re a busy man. If it’s a reason you’re looking for, consider it as such- this game is a way to heal the people’s hearts after the tragedy in Venge City. If you’re here yourself, would that not brighten their spirits more than anything else?”

A reciprocal laugh from him.

“You flatter me. But yes, that makes a certain sense. If pushing me over the edge was your goal, you’ve reached it.”

“When can you be here?”

“Oh. Well… there’s much work to do, as always. Lest I neglect my duties… expect me by the 22nd or so, I couldn’t drop everything for my own enjoyment.”

“Ah, naturally. You have my gratitude, Mr. President Washington sir.”

“It always sounds best coming out of your mouth.”

“What else from the one who revealed your lineage?”

Yet another laugh was earned.

“I may never stop thanking you for bringing me to this point.”

“Please. Stop whenever you like. I’m just happy to see you in your rightful place.”

“Pray tell, what’s that noise on the other end?”

Kidney had not paused his game session in all this time. His hands moved on their own, continuing the flawless run.

“My hobby again.” He chuckled.

“How many times have you played that save now?”

“Forty-two. My stats have become quite ridiculous.”

“I’d expect nothing less!”

“Thank you again, Mr. President.”

“And thank you, Former President.”

Hangup.

Silence.

Kidney continued playing for one hour, only standing when boredom finally reached him. He left the machine on, having grown used to its faint blue light.

The room looked simpler this way. He rubbed his fingers across the spines of his library- books, games, all sorts. No dust thanks to the staff.

On his desk, he spun his globe. One of his oldest possessions, it wasn’t even of the same Earth anymore.

Yet through many repairs, it still spun smoothly.

He placed a second finger on the sphere, absentmindedly toying with it.

Growing distracted, he felt the screen calling to him again as he continued to spin the ball. Maybe he wasn’t so bored after all.

Clunk.

The globe fell.

He sighed.