Dream Park

Ollie said, 'Do you know about the Fat-Ripper Specials? They use the same Game, but they cut all the distances by half, and the food is high-protein stuff, and there are paid doctors in the party. Five days rips the fat right off you, and you hardly notice how hungry you are because you're too busy not getting killed. That's how Gwen got her start.' He looked anxiously at Griffin, whose mouth was full. 'The really good Games sell in places where you wouldn't think there were places. Dream Park stands to lose-'

The wallet spoke. 'Griffin?'

'Harmony? Look, if you're asleep, get yourself awake. Pvc been handed a tricky decision, and I'm passing the buck.'

'I wasn't asleep. What's the problem?'

'I've taken Tony McWhirter into custody. He admits to steal­ing the, ah, materials, but he denies killing Rice.'

'Very good, Alex! We'll call Sacramento PD and hand them a nicely wrapped package. Do you have the stolen materials?'

'That's our problem, sir. McWhirter has made us an interesting offer. He'd like us both to stay in and finish the Game. It's only a matter of another twelve hours, and McWhirter will show us where he hid the, ah, materials.'

'Game. Yes. Ah, what happens to the Game if you and Mc­Whirter leave it now?'

'Worst debacle in Gaining history.'

'oh.'

Harmony thought it over, and Griffin found that he was holding his breath.

'What if this McWhirter cuts your throat and tries to run? He's killed once. If he perforates a Gamer... lawsuits... hmm.'

'We can take precautions. McWhirter will have a machete with a hologram blade. We'll guard him all night. I'll have Marty seal this place-'

Tony whispered fiercely, 'For God's sake put me on!' Alex handed over the wallet. Tony said, 'Mr. Harmony? Lis­ten, I do not intend to run. Where would I go? And I didn't-'

'Just a minute, McWhirter. Have you been warned?'

'I have the right to a lawyer. I have the right to remain silent. If I choose to speak, I can be recorded.'

'You are being recorded.'

'Fine.'

'Are you in possession of materials belonging to Dream Park?'

'No, but I hid them where nobody else is going to find them. I can give them to Griffin tomorrow. Look, Lopez will cream us if Griffin and I leave the Game now. And how would anyone explain it in Game context? It kills the plot line.'

'Will the rest of your party trust you not to try to escape?'

'I swear it-'

'I want their word. On record.'

It must have been obvious to all of them: in case Tony perfo­rated anyone while escaping, Harmony was forestalling a lawsuit. One by one they swore they trusted Tony McWhirter's word. Alex spoke last.

'I'm going to lock this place up tight,' he said. 'A mosquito won't be able to get loose. But I think McWhirter means it. It's going to be a long time between Gaines for him.'

'I can hear the Board of Trustees now. Well, go ahead, and good luck. Oh, and I looked in on you while you were stealing that, ah, black fire?'

Didn't everybody? 'Yeah?'

'It looked like fun.'

The transceiver clicked-and everybody started yelling. Griffin bellowed, 'Quiet!' They stopped. To his transceiver Griffin said, 'Security, quick. Marty? Listen. I want airtight surveillance at every exit from the dome. If anyone tries to leave, the Game ends instantly. Don't miss any exits, and don't let someone past just be­cause he's wearing a uniform.'

'Chief? You're not coming out?'

'Nope. Neither of us, not till one tomorrow, with our shields or on them.' Griffin clicked his wallet shut and looked around. 'You're crazy,' he said. 'You're all crazy, and I'm just as bad. I want a Gamer awake at all times to watch McWhirter, who is going to sleep with his feet wired together. Any objections from anyone?' Not a whisper. 'McWhirter?'

He was pathetically grateful. 'Hands and feet, Griffin, I don't care. Thank you.'

'All right.' Griffin sank back against the dune. He felt very tired-and light as air. His thoughts finally settled on something. 'Henderson?'

The Lore Master still looked apprehensive. 'Now what?'

'Eight of us left. All those undead. We don't even have boats. Just how are we going to win this mother?'

Chapter Twenty-Nine

END GAME

When dawn broke that final day, there were nine awake to greet

it.

Their clothes were soiled and torn. They themselves were scratched and bruised and unsteady on their feet, even with the benefit of a night's sleep. But all of them gripped their tools tightly: swords, machetes, and the magic staff now wielded by Chester Henderson.

Chester stood with eyes wide and nerves afire, waiting for the peep of a double sun that would signal the beginning of the Game.

Alex took no offense that Acacia stood with Tony. She had spent the night with the bound man. Not with someone else, not crying or hating or blaming; rarely touching him, but there.

Holly Frost, her Afro frizzled with sand and sweat, stood next to Alex, a Japanese short sword balanced uneasily in her hand.

She studied Panthesilea and Fortunato at a distance, expression carefully neutral.

Tony watched the horizon. He let his eyes sweep back and forth, barely acknowledging the girl at his side for minutes at a time, before relaxing with a great sigh and holding her fiercely to him.

Easy to understand the unyielding focus of his attention. Play well today, Tony. You won't be back for twenty years.

Mary-em, Margie and Ollie stood together. Margie had seem­ingly gained strength during the night, energy from the endless strategy sessions. She and Mary-em grinned at each other and touched the tips of their weapons together in silent salute. Ollie raised his sword wearily and stitched together the rudiments of a smile.

The group formed a rough circle around their campfire, all di­rections covered. The circle enclosed Lady Janet, who carried a machete. Chester's instructions had been exact: 'You don't fight unless you have to. Getting you out is part of our mission.'

Facing the woods with a katana held tightly in his massive hands, The Griffin suddenly laughed out loud.