Insanity, this conversation could only be the product of insanity. Scott Hunter, former soldier and currently unemployed job-seeker, was certain that everything that the man had just said was a lie. The idea that such a thing could be true was ludicrous.

“So, you aren’t interested?” asked Michael Jameson, a supposed talent scout for what had to be the most dedicated game creation company in history. It was strange that he had never heard of Alterra International before. Even start-up game companies with technology like the man claimed would be big news.

“I’m interested, but what you’re saying sounds crazy. You do know that, right?”

Jameson smiled a toothy shark-like smile. “That’s to be expected. No one believes it when we first discuss the matter.”

“Of course they wouldn’t. You’re trying to convince me that your game company has made a deal with god-like alien intelligences, and that deal entails sending people from our world to be players in a reality they created based on our games and pop-culture.”

“Well, certainly when you say it like that it does sound insane.” Jameson laughed in a good-natured way.

Scott could not help but be confused by the situation. He had received a query letter to be a beta-tester for a new full-immersion role playing experience. He had assumed that had meant a new game, not an alien world that operated like one!

Still, even if the guy was off his nut, so to speak, he could not pass up the possibility that this was on the level. It was insane, but he wasn’t stupid. He firmly believed that the guy was just trying to hype him up for some new advancement in virtual reality software. “If I accept this gig, what do I have to do, and how much will I be paid?”

“Ah, all you have to do is interact in the other world for a minimum of forty-eight hours each week. As far as payment, you will be able to access the Alterra International auction database and will be able to sell items that you don’t need.”

“I wouldn’t receive any direct pay?” That could be a deal breaker for Scott. He needed a job, not a promise of potential pay if he found something cool to sell to other random players.

“No, but if it helps, we do provide a one-time sign-on bonus of four thousand dollars. This is to cover main expenses while you adjust to the environment. Also, the average player can earn roughly that much on a weekly basis just using the auction. We take a ten percent cut, so we like to make sure you make money so that we can make money.”

Scott stared at the man blankly. He honestly expected him to believe that he could make four grand a week just playing a game?

Jameson waved his disbelief away. “You’ll understand things better once you have visited the other world. Are you interested?”

“Sure, I’m interested. I’m not sure why you are so insistent that this game is a real world, but that’s fine. What I don’t understand is why you queried me for this job in the first place.”

“We queried you because of your background. You are someone who has extensive knowledge of role playing games. You served in the US military field artillery for four years, and spent one of those years deployed. You don’t have a criminal record, but you do need employment. You are also single with no children.”

Scott was uncertain about how to react to his admission. They hired him because of those reasons? This job sounded more like para-military security work selection than a game company sign-up. “Ok…”

Jameson smiled that toothy smile once more. “So, do you want the job?”

“I have to admit, you’ve got my interest peaked. When can I start?”

The agent pulled out a contract and they went over the finer points. The thing that really got to Scott was the non-intervention clause. Alterra International refused to provide any in-world help no matter how many times you died even if you were stuck in an endless death loop. Essentially, whatever happened to a signed player was their business.

Scott signed the contract and the hiring agent looked it over. When he was done, he nodded and said, “Alright, that’s all we needed. When is the most convenient date for you to do your test run?”

“Test run?”

“Yes, the quantum transfer protocol requires that you spend twenty-four hours in-world before you can return here. Once here you have to remain here twenty-four hours before you can go there.”

“Uh, right. I’m fine any time, but if you expect me to play a game for twenty-four hours straight I’m probably going to at least need to get lunch first.”

Jameson laughed at his pragmatism. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll set you up for test insertion tomorrow at…. ten in the morning, alright?”

“That’s fine. When do I get paid?”

The shark-like smile returned. “See the desk clerk on the way out. We make all of our transactions in cash due to legal reasons.”

Yeah, that did not sound shady at all. Scott chose not to say anything about it, though. He stood up and said goodbye to the obviously insane individual then left the office.

Jameson smiled once more then pressed the intercom button. “Ms. Havers, please see to the new applicant’s starting funds, then send in the next applicant.”

“Yes, sir.” The voice on the other end of the line was professional, yet excited. They were having a hard time acquiring qualified applicants.

The agent looked at the contract and smiled. “Finally. I was beginning to wonder if the people of this world were too complacent to want to live a life of adventure. Despite the nature of their fantasies and popular culture they don’t seem to want to take chances that often.”

A knock at his door heralded the arrival of another potential candidate. Jameson called out, “Come in, it’s open.”