*Ring*
"Welcome to GameStalk - let me know if you need anything." an uninterested teenager shouted from behind the counter, before going back to his hand held.
"Cool, thanks." I haphazardly replied. 'Not like you'd be much help anyways' I thought. 'Ahh - finally. After weeks of doing over time I now can get the new VR console I've been dreaming of! Working as a customer service rep for a big company is hard enough, but the extra hours of being yelled at was well worth it. I can't wait to quit for my dream job.'
I went to look at the systems behind the glass. 'Gosh, look at the price tag, I could cry.' I sobbed inwardly. 'Well, I can still only afford a second hand one, but that won't stop me from my aspiration to become the next big VR streamer.'
I continued to browse the store. 'I came prepared to spend my savings on this ambition of mine, hmm, I might as well splurge and get an extra game as well, so I have variety for my future viewers.' I gotta please the people!"
'Let's see, let's see. I'm definitely getting the new first-person RPG made by Heinous. What's this? A rookie section?' I grabbed a colorful game with vegetables on the cover. 'I guess I will get this Cooking with Mumsy game, it looks easy enough.'
I grabbed the games on my way to the register and stood there idly waiting while the hopeless worker was toying over his portable system. "Umm, excuse me? Hello? I'm ready to check out here." I scoffed over the sound of button mashing.
"Yeah, yeah. I hear you. Give me a minute, I'm about to win this match." said the greasy headed teen hunching over. I occupied the few minutes looking at the weird key chains hanging from the rack on the counter.
*Ding - Ding* "Yes!" he howled, then put down his game and finally walked over to me. "What do you need, old-timer?"
'I'm going to just let that one go' knowing I have been called worse before at work.
"Yes, hey, I'd like to get that grey VR 2.0 and these two games, please." then handed him the games. He grabbed them lazily, ringing them up so slow, I wasn't sure if he was being a little shit deliberately or if it came naturally to him. I was going to ask about the cute good-luck cat key chain, but I did not want to risk him taking any longer.
"Here you go." he said while ringing up the headset he just got out the glass case. "Will you want the insurance on that? It's just an extra $200."
"What?! That's like half the price of the VR itself. No, thank you. I will pass on it." I stated.
"Ok, just so you know all sales are final. However, we can offer a buy back at a 20% rate of the retail value. Cash or card?"
"Card." I scoffed. 'Ya damn thieves.'
I grabbed my bags and headed for the door, ready to be out of this glorified pawn shop. As I was leaving I heard a "Come again" and the beeping sounds of a new match starting up.
*Ring*
The shop bell sounded behind as I stepped outside as a new man ready to take on the streamer world. Taking a deep breath of the city air outside, 'today marks the day of my journey into an unfamiliar career. I know I can do it, I will be a famous streamer in no time!'
***
Back at my apartment, I sat in front of my computer looking at some of the featured streamers running today. 'Wow, the streamer Critter has just streamed for 34 hours straight and got over 2 million viewers, I bet I can do that.' I thought as I got up to prepare some snacks and drinks for the next few hours of gaming.
'I better call my mom to tell her so she can watch my first stream. It will be a good memory for when I'm famous.' I stood in the kitchen tapping my fingers on the table while the phone was ringing. "The person you are trying to reach can't come to the phone at the moment; leave a message at the beep."
*Beep*
"Hey, mom. I finally got the VR headset I was telling you about and I am about to start my first stream. I know you said it was a waste of time, but I believe I can make it as a profession even though its a competitive industry. Anyways, If you have time later you should watch it. Alright, love you. Bye."
'I know she thinks I am a failure, but I will prove her wrong and make her proud for once.'
*Ding*
Looks like the popcorn is done. Alright, I am ready. I went through the check list, got the food, the games are downloaded, camera ready, mics good, and I'm signed in. 'Nothing to it, but to do it, I guess.'
I clicked 'go live' and rested my headset on my head. I began to say my intro. "Hello, world! My name is Mallory Ashen, and this is my first stream. I will start out playing this 'Cooking with Mumsy' game to get the hang of things since it's supposed to be beginner friendly. Nice and relaxing to get started, I don't even have to stand to play this one."
I pulled the VR down. *Swoosh* The game logo rushed in front of my eyes and the load bar started to fill. 'I guess while that's going, I'll see if I have any comments yet.' I thought hopefully. 'Oh! there are two already.'
[Comment 1: HA! Isn't Mallory a girl's name!! Lame.]
[Comment 2: Man, Clickbait! I thought this was a chick. I'm out.]
[Viewers Watching: 2 ]
At least I have one viewer not counting my phone running in the living room.
[Viewers Watching: 1 ]
Well, damn.
Ah, well I just started, I'm bound to get more viewers in no time.
-A minute or so later
*DA DA DAH *
Sounds of a cute little jingle coming from the headset started to ring out. I guess it is ready now. I slid it back over my face and was greeted with an adorable chibi looking middle aged lady asking if I was prepared to cook. "I'm so psyched up right now!" I thought.
"Ok. I will coast through the tutorial and kick off this stream. Everyone watch this momentous occasion!"
-Six hours later
"CHOP THE ONIONS!"
"YOU'VE BURNT THE GARLIC!"
"MUMSY, IS DISAPPOINTED. 0 / 5 STARS"
"Shit! Beginner my ass!" I yelled as I slammed my hands down on my desk.
*Crash* "Ah, fuck my knuckle! What the hell did I just hit?!"
Just then I heard a zap as I felt electricity run throughout my body. Although it only lasted a second, I began to panic and quickly stood up. "Ahhh - it's getting hard to breathe. Something isn't right here." I wailed, clutching my chest. 'Shit, I'm getting lightheaded' I thought, and I felt my body fall back into my chair, my vision going black. The last thing I heard was "Mumsy, is disappointed." and an ironically cute theme song playing softly in the background.