Chapter 211: 211
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August 30, 2013 – 5 AM Local, Saturday – New York, 30,000 feet in the air.
/Ladies and gentlemen, we have been cleared to land at Jude F. Kelley International Airport. Please make sure that your seatbelt is securely fastened.
The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining utensils. We start our descent any moment now. Thank you./
"Hey… How do these people have such high scores in this game?" A random passenger says to his friend beside him as he turns off his phone to prepare for landing.
*tap**Ta-tap**Tap* "I don't know. Some people say it's possible and the secret is in the combos, not the long line clear. That's what guys who got close to Isaac's score claim." The passenger's friend says as he finishes a round of Quad Blocks.
"Come to think of it. It does multiply." The passenger nods.
Tayaw and Payew who are seated behind the two, are listening to the two's conversation. First class cabin, after all, has better sound resonance than the crowded business class or economic class seats.
Tayaw is feeling giddy that his game is more popular than he thought, while Payew is seriously eavesdropping. In only twenty-five days since Tayaw posted Quad Blocks, it has gained over 15,000,000 downloads combined in both the Apple Store and Google Play, its popularity started from Tayaw's fans that spread to some Americans, to Teungebians.
While there have been copycats of the game, the solid foundation of Quad Blocks and Isaac's name behind it, the game cannot be matched by the copycats.
"Hey. Is it really your score?" Payew asks.
"Yeah." Tayaw nods.
"Bull. There's not f*ckin way. You had whoever made the game for you, put it in there, right?" Payew asks.
"Psh. It really is my score and people will eventually beat it. Give me your phone." Tayaw says, and Payew readily hands his phone over.
"Alright. Let's do countdown mode… So… the thing is, I make use of combos." Tayaw begins as he quickly lay the bricks down.
"Holy sh*t… you're fast!" Payew is dumbfounded at Tayaw's dropping down three pieces a second.
"But… why leave out four empty columns except for those three cells at the bottom?" Payew asks, noticing the unique set-up.
"It's for this…" Tayaw says as he starts dropping pieces, clearing lines, one row by one row.
*Combo x2* *Combo x3* … *Combo x 10* *Combo x11*.
Tayaw's score quickly climbs up.
"Whoah..." Payew's mind is boggled at what he is seeing.
*0:12* *0:11* *0:09* 10 seconds left in the game, Tayaw is interrupted by another announcement by a stewardess.
/Ladies and gentlemen, as we start out descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are upright. Make sure your seat belt…/
"Alright." Tayaw turns off the phone's screen.
"The score!-" Payew is worried about the score being reset but is forced to forget about it as he feels the plane is starting to descend.
~
"Phew… The street is crowded with students. Now I feel it. I'm really going to university here." Payew says as he and Tayaw step inside his New York apartment.
"Here." Tayaw suddenly hands him a card.
"What's this for?" Payew asks.
"Do you still remember the time you, Agew, and I went to Ouigab two years ago? When we opened a college fund for you and Agew?" Tayaw asks.
"Yeah? This is the card for mine?" Payew asks.
"Yes. Have fun, but don't empty it." Tayaw says.
"Haha. I don't even know what to buy. You already got my textbooks for me too." Payew says.
"…" Tayaw only stares at Payew in return.
"What's up with you?" Payew is weirded out by the stare.
"Nothing. Time. It just passes by so fast." Tayaw says.
"It does, huh?" Payew politely says despite feeling the contrary.
"Alright. I'll go leave now. If you need help with something, or an emergency arises, call Phil and the other number I gave you. Only call the second number if you REALLY need it, okay?" Tayaw says.
"Okay. I got it. You told me many times already, I memorized both numbers." Payew assures Tayaw.
"Good." Tayaw nods.
"Good luck with your tour too. I'll check it out if ever you pass through New York." Payew says.
"Yeah. I'll call when I'm in town and give you tickets for you and any friend you make. You on the other hand, don't forget to always update mom and dad with what you're up to, 'kay?" Tayaw says.
"Yeah. I sure will. I don't wanna get the same earful mom gave you." Payew says and with that the brothers give each other a bear hug before parting.
~~~
An hour later – Jericho, Long Island.
*slam* *slam* Tayaw rushes to his bedroom.
He lied to Payew about going to Nashville immediately and instead heads to the nearest place he can lock himself in alone; his Jericho mansion.
As for the reason, he is to prepare for something just in case. After finally feeling ready, he lies down on his bed, and he waits. The next moment, he is dragged away from the real world into the ~white void~.
'View Points – 1,000,000,000' He is greeted by the long line of golden, shimmering, digits.
"Finally." Tayaw smiles in satisfaction and he simply stares at the number he has patiently been anticipating for almost two years.
Suddenly, "WHAT THE F.U.C.K?!" Tayaw can only helplessly scream as '999,999,999' '973,654,654' '819,866,296' the view points start unloading to who knows where.
The number soon reaches zero and the void starts *whom* *whom* *whom* pulsating.
"…" Tayaw can only watch his surroundings, especially the pen and the guitar, hoping they will not disappear or damaged.
Soon, the void returns again to its previous boring state, the treasures in it still intact.
Before Tayaw can wonder where his points went, the 'ARTS RECORD' start pulsating like how it did in the first time he saw it. Tayaw accesses it and unlike his expectation of seeing the giant roulette, his jaw drops and his heart is startled at what, and who he is seeing.
Within the vast whiteness of where the giant roulette used to be, is now what looks like a giant music record store with towering white shelves spreading into the distance. Each towering shelf contain what looks like vinyl records (with covers).
Right in front of him, right at the center of the 'store', surrounded by all the shelves, is what looks to be a check-out counter. What scared Tayaw however is that the counter is manned by a very beautiful racially ambiguous woman who seems to be the cashier.
"Hi~ Welcome to Arts Records! I'm Kim! How can I help you today?" Kim introduces herself and the 'store'.
"Hi…" Tayaw can only stare at Kim, dumbfounded at the situation.
"Yes?" Kim, not at all weirded out by Tayaw's stare, asks with an accommodating smile.
"Uhh… how did you get in here?" Tayaw asks.
"…" The woman however is still smiling at him as if not hearing his question.
"Uhm… where's the giant roulette?" Tayaw asks again and his question is ignored once again.
"Kim?" Worried that something is wrong, Tayaw calls out Kim's name.
"Yes. What can I do for you?" Kim responds, to Tayaw's relief.
He then decides to ask a different type of question.
"uhh.. what do you sell?" Tayaw asks.
"All sorts of things! I am glad to tell you that in our store, we have thousands upon thousands of good movies and TV shows, thousands of novels, millions of songs, comic books, games, anything you can entertain yourself with! Not only that, we also sell skills and abilities! As long as you can afford them, we are glad to do business." Kim introduces the 'Store' with a proud smile.
'So that's where my billion points went…' Tayaw nods.
"… Uhhh.. I had a billion points, now I don't, so I can't buy anything. Do you know where they went?" Tayaw tests Kim, but just like his question about the roulette, it was ignored again by the woman.
"… Uhh.. Kim?" Tayaw checks with Kim again.
"Yes, sir?" Kim replies, frustrating Tayaw.
"I can't buy anything right now as I don't have any points." Tayaw tries again.
"Well, that's okay. You can just come back again." Kim says.
'Huh… Is Kim an AI robot, or something?' A funny thought crosses Tayaw's mind.
"Where are you from, Kim?" Tayaw asks.
"…" Kim ignores the question again.
'Ah… Must be some illusion by whoever gave me this ability. They make Kim ignore questions that are irrelevant to the 'Store' ' Tayaw can only shrug off his questions.
"Okay. I'm Tayaw, by the way. I'll frequent this place in the future." Tayaw introduces himself.
"Wait! Tayaw?" Kim asks, scaring Tayaw.
"Yes? You know me?" Tayaw asks.
"No… but. There is something for you here." Kim stoops down behind the counter and pulls something out.
"Here it is! Oh! Looks like one of our best products! It's already been paid for you to pick up!" Kim says as she raises a vinyl record for Tayaw to see.
'Post Congenital Perfect Creative Imagery' 'to be picked up by Tayaw' Tayaw reads the words printed and written on the record's cover.
"Oh! Yes. I'm here to pick that up." Tayaw says, guessing that the record is a side bonus of the point exchange upgrade.
"Well why didn't you say so? Here you are." Kim hands the record over.
"Thank you. Hey, can I look around this place?" Tayaw asks.
"Well… uh. This place is huge and you'd need LADDERS! Just ask me what you need, and I'll give you some suggestions. You don't have to go looking for stuff yourself." Kim says.
Tayaw processes this information and he immediately decides to test Kim again.
"Do you sell… Perfect pitch?" Tayaw asks.
"Perfect Pitch! Ah! We only had one copy! But it was bought by someone. It sold for 10,000,000 points; I think?" Kim says.
'Alright. Whoever or whatever gave me the void has a weird of humor' Tayaw scoffs.
"That's too bad… How about Peter McKinsey's artist record?" Tayaw asks again just for his amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Oh. Sorry. We don't have that anymore. But even if we have it on hand, It's expensive." Kim says.
"How much?" Tayaw asks.
"It sold for 100,000,000 so maybe that's the price we'll sell it for to you once we get a copy again." Kim replies.
"…" Tayaw can only stare at Kim again to see if she is messing with him. Ultimately he feels like Kim is innocent.
"I bet you're also out of stock for your 'Basic Film Making Skills', right?" Tayaw asks once again.
"How did you know?" Kim's eyes widen. "Did someone send you?" Kim asks.
"PUHHAAHAHA!" Tayaw loses it her words.
"What's so funny?" Kim asks.
"Nothing, Kim. Nothing. Well, you say you have everything, but you don't have the stuff I'm looking for." Tayaw decides to mess with Kim to see how much she really knows.
"We had what you were looking for. You just got here later than the buyers." Kim says, almost offended.
"…" Tayaw is taken aback by the good comeback.
"Okay. You're right. How about 'Advance Film Making Skills'?" Tayaw asks.
"That we have! It's 10 million points!" Kim immediately cites the price proudly.
Tayaw nods at this.
'The billion points is worth it. The randomness of point exchange has reduced significantly. And an AI to make things easier' Tayaw thinks to himself.
"Hey Kim. How do I use this record?" Tayaw asks once again.
"…" He is ignored again. Tayaw can only give up.
"Alright. Can I look around still? I might find something that I might like." Tayaw asks, knowing that Kim will answer this time.
"Sure! Go ahead." Kim says.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
August 30, 2013 – 5 AM Local, Saturday – New York, 30,000 feet in the air.
/Ladies and gentlemen, we have been cleared to land at Jude F. Kelley International Airport. Please make sure that your seatbelt is securely fastened.
The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining utensils. We start our descent any moment now. Thank you./
"Hey… How do these people have such high scores in this game?" A random passenger says to his friend beside him as he turns off his phone to prepare for landing.
*tap**Ta-tap**Tap* "I don't know. Some people say it's possible and the secret is in the combos, not the long line clear. That's what guys who got close to Isaac's score claim." The passenger's friend says as he finishes a round of Quad Blocks.
"Come to think of it. It does multiply." The passenger nods.
Tayaw and Payew who are seated behind the two, are listening to the two's conversation. First class cabin, after all, has better sound resonance than the crowded business class or economic class seats.
Tayaw is feeling giddy that his game is more popular than he thought, while Payew is seriously eavesdropping. In only twenty-five days since Tayaw posted Quad Blocks, it has gained over 15,000,000 downloads combined in both the Apple Store and Google Play, its popularity started from Tayaw's fans that spread to some Americans, to Teungebians.
While there have been copycats of the game, the solid foundation of Quad Blocks and Isaac's name behind it, the game cannot be matched by the copycats.
"Hey. Is it really your score?" Payew asks.
"Yeah." Tayaw nods.
"Bull. There's not f*ckin way. You had whoever made the game for you, put it in there, right?" Payew asks.
"Psh. It really is my score and people will eventually beat it. Give me your phone." Tayaw says, and Payew readily hands his phone over.
"Alright. Let's do countdown mode… So… the thing is, I make use of combos." Tayaw begins as he quickly lay the bricks down.
"Holy sh*t… you're fast!" Payew is dumbfounded at Tayaw's dropping down three pieces a second.
"But… why leave out four empty columns except for those three cells at the bottom?" Payew asks, noticing the unique set-up.
"It's for this…" Tayaw says as he starts dropping pieces, clearing lines, one row by one row.
*Combo x2* *Combo x3* … *Combo x 10* *Combo x11*.
Tayaw's score quickly climbs up.
"Whoah..." Payew's mind is boggled at what he is seeing.
*0:12* *0:11* *0:09* 10 seconds left in the game, Tayaw is interrupted by another announcement by a stewardess.
/Ladies and gentlemen, as we start out descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are upright. Make sure your seat belt…/
"Alright." Tayaw turns off the phone's screen.
"The score!-" Payew is worried about the score being reset but is forced to forget about it as he feels the plane is starting to descend.
~
"Phew… The street is crowded with students. Now I feel it. I'm really going to university here." Payew says as he and Tayaw step inside his New York apartment.
"Here." Tayaw suddenly hands him a card.
"What's this for?" Payew asks.
"Do you still remember the time you, Agew, and I went to Ouigab two years ago? When we opened a college fund for you and Agew?" Tayaw asks.
"Yeah? This is the card for mine?" Payew asks.
"Yes. Have fun, but don't empty it." Tayaw says.
"Haha. I don't even know what to buy. You already got my textbooks for me too." Payew says.
"…" Tayaw only stares at Payew in return.
"What's up with you?" Payew is weirded out by the stare.
"Nothing. Time. It just passes by so fast." Tayaw says.
"It does, huh?" Payew politely says despite feeling the contrary.
"Alright. I'll go leave now. If you need help with something, or an emergency arises, call Phil and the other number I gave you. Only call the second number if you REALLY need it, okay?" Tayaw says.
"Okay. I got it. You told me many times already, I memorized both numbers." Payew assures Tayaw.
"Good." Tayaw nods.
"Good luck with your tour too. I'll check it out if ever you pass through New York." Payew says.
"Yeah. I'll call when I'm in town and give you tickets for you and any friend you make. You on the other hand, don't forget to always update mom and dad with what you're up to, 'kay?" Tayaw says.
"Yeah. I sure will. I don't wanna get the same earful mom gave you." Payew says and with that the brothers give each other a bear hug before parting.
~~~
An hour later – Jericho, Long Island.
*slam* *slam* Tayaw rushes to his bedroom.
He lied to Payew about going to Nashville immediately and instead heads to the nearest place he can lock himself in alone; his Jericho mansion.
As for the reason, he is to prepare for something just in case. After finally feeling ready, he lies down on his bed, and he waits. The next moment, he is dragged away from the real world into the ~white void~.
'View Points – 1,000,000,000' He is greeted by the long line of golden, shimmering, digits.
"Finally." Tayaw smiles in satisfaction and he simply stares at the number he has patiently been anticipating for almost two years.
Suddenly, "WHAT THE F.U.C.K?!" Tayaw can only helplessly scream as '999,999,999' '973,654,654' '819,866,296' the view points start unloading to who knows where.
The number soon reaches zero and the void starts *whom* *whom* *whom* pulsating.
"…" Tayaw can only watch his surroundings, especially the pen and the guitar, hoping they will not disappear or damaged.
Soon, the void returns again to its previous boring state, the treasures in it still intact.
Before Tayaw can wonder where his points went, the 'ARTS RECORD' start pulsating like how it did in the first time he saw it. Tayaw accesses it and unlike his expectation of seeing the giant roulette, his jaw drops and his heart is startled at what, and who he is seeing.
Within the vast whiteness of where the giant roulette used to be, is now what looks like a giant music record store with towering white shelves spreading into the distance. Each towering shelf contain what looks like vinyl records (with covers).
Right in front of him, right at the center of the 'store', surrounded by all the shelves, is what looks to be a check-out counter. What scared Tayaw however is that the counter is manned by a very beautiful racially ambiguous woman who seems to be the cashier.
"Hi~ Welcome to Arts Records! I'm Kim! How can I help you today?" Kim introduces herself and the 'store'.
"Hi…" Tayaw can only stare at Kim, dumbfounded at the situation.
"Yes?" Kim, not at all weirded out by Tayaw's stare, asks with an accommodating smile.
"Uhh… how did you get in here?" Tayaw asks.
"…" The woman however is still smiling at him as if not hearing his question.
"Uhm… where's the giant roulette?" Tayaw asks again and his question is ignored once again.
"Kim?" Worried that something is wrong, Tayaw calls out Kim's name.
"Yes. What can I do for you?" Kim responds, to Tayaw's relief.
He then decides to ask a different type of question.
"uhh.. what do you sell?" Tayaw asks.
"All sorts of things! I am glad to tell you that in our store, we have thousands upon thousands of good movies and TV shows, thousands of novels, millions of songs, comic books, games, anything you can entertain yourself with! Not only that, we also sell skills and abilities! As long as you can afford them, we are glad to do business." Kim introduces the 'Store' with a proud smile.
'So that's where my billion points went…' Tayaw nods.
"… Uhhh.. I had a billion points, now I don't, so I can't buy anything. Do you know where they went?" Tayaw tests Kim, but just like his question about the roulette, it was ignored again by the woman.
"… Uhh.. Kim?" Tayaw checks with Kim again.
"Yes, sir?" Kim replies, frustrating Tayaw.
"I can't buy anything right now as I don't have any points." Tayaw tries again.
"Well, that's okay. You can just come back again." Kim says.
'Huh… Is Kim an AI robot, or something?' A funny thought crosses Tayaw's mind.
"Where are you from, Kim?" Tayaw asks.
"…" Kim ignores the question again.
'Ah… Must be some illusion by whoever gave me this ability. They make Kim ignore questions that are irrelevant to the 'Store' ' Tayaw can only shrug off his questions.
"Okay. I'm Tayaw, by the way. I'll frequent this place in the future." Tayaw introduces himself.
"Wait! Tayaw?" Kim asks, scaring Tayaw.
"Yes? You know me?" Tayaw asks.
"No… but. There is something for you here." Kim stoops down behind the counter and pulls something out.
"Here it is! Oh! Looks like one of our best products! It's already been paid for you to pick up!" Kim says as she raises a vinyl record for Tayaw to see.
'Post Congenital Perfect Creative Imagery' 'to be picked up by Tayaw' Tayaw reads the words printed and written on the record's cover.
"Oh! Yes. I'm here to pick that up." Tayaw says, guessing that the record is a side bonus of the point exchange upgrade.
"Well why didn't you say so? Here you are." Kim hands the record over.
"Thank you. Hey, can I look around this place?" Tayaw asks.
"Well… uh. This place is huge and you'd need LADDERS! Just ask me what you need, and I'll give you some suggestions. You don't have to go looking for stuff yourself." Kim says.
Tayaw processes this information and he immediately decides to test Kim again.
"Do you sell… Perfect pitch?" Tayaw asks.
"Perfect Pitch! Ah! We only had one copy! But it was bought by someone. It sold for 10,000,000 points; I think?" Kim says.
'Alright. Whoever or whatever gave me the void has a weird of humor' Tayaw scoffs.
"That's too bad… How about Peter McKinsey's artist record?" Tayaw asks again just for his amus.e.m.e.nt.
"Oh. Sorry. We don't have that anymore. But even if we have it on hand, It's expensive." Kim says.
"How much?" Tayaw asks.
"It sold for 100,000,000 so maybe that's the price we'll sell it for to you once we get a copy again." Kim replies.
"…" Tayaw can only stare at Kim again to see if she is messing with him. Ultimately he feels like Kim is innocent.
"I bet you're also out of stock for your 'Basic Film Making Skills', right?" Tayaw asks once again.
"How did you know?" Kim's eyes widen. "Did someone send you?" Kim asks.
"PUHHAAHAHA!" Tayaw loses it her words.
"What's so funny?" Kim asks.
"Nothing, Kim. Nothing. Well, you say you have everything, but you don't have the stuff I'm looking for." Tayaw decides to mess with Kim to see how much she really knows.
"We had what you were looking for. You just got here later than the buyers." Kim says, almost offended.
"…" Tayaw is taken aback by the good comeback.
"Okay. You're right. How about 'Advance Film Making Skills'?" Tayaw asks.
"That we have! It's 10 million points!" Kim immediately cites the price proudly.
Tayaw nods at this.
'The billion points is worth it. The randomness of point exchange has reduced significantly. And an AI to make things easier' Tayaw thinks to himself.
"Hey Kim. How do I use this record?" Tayaw asks once again.
"…" He is ignored again. Tayaw can only give up.
"Alright. Can I look around still? I might find something that I might like." Tayaw asks, knowing that Kim will answer this time.
"Sure! Go ahead." Kim says.
August 30, 2013 5 AM Local, Saturday New York, 30,000 feet in the air. /Ladies and gentlemen, we have been cleared to land at Jude F. Kelley International Airport. Please make sure that your seatbelt is securely fastened. The flight attendants are currently passing around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining utensils. We start our descent any moment now. Thank you./ "Hey How do these people have such high scores in this game?" A random passenger says to his friend beside him as he turns off his phone to prepare for landing. *tap**Ta-tap**Tap* "I don't know. Some people say it's possible and the secret is in the combos, not the long line clear. That's what guys who got close to Isaac's score claim." The passenger's friend says as he finishes a round of Quad Blocks. "Come to think of it. It does multiply." The passenger nods. Tayaw and Payew who are seated behind the two, are listening to the two's conversation. First class cabin, after all, has better sound resonance than the crowded business class or economic class seats. Tayaw is feeling giddy that his game is more popular than he thought, while Payew is seriously eavesdropping. In only twenty-five days since Tayaw posted Quad Blocks, it has gained over 15,000,000 downloads combined in both the Apple Store and Google Play, its popularity started from Tayaw's fans that spread to some Americans, to Teungebians. While there have been copycats of the game, the solid foundation of Quad Blocks and Isaac's name behind it, the game cannot be matched by the copycats. "Hey. Is it really your score?" Payew asks. "Yeah." Tayaw nods. "Bull. There's not f*ckin way. You had whoever made the game for you, put it in there, right?" Payew asks. "Psh. It really is my score and people will eventually beat it. Give me your phone." Tayaw says, and Payew readily hands his phone over. "Alright. Let's do countdown mode So the thing is, I make use of combos." Tayaw begins as he quickly lay the bricks down. "Holy sh*t you're fast!" Payew is dumbfounded at Tayaw's dropping down three pieces a second. "But why leave out four empty columns except for those three cells at the bottom?" Payew asks, noticing the unique set-up. "It's for this" Tayaw says as he starts dropping pieces, clearing lines, one row by one row. *Combo x2* *Combo x3* *Combo x 10* *Combo x11*. Tayaw's score quickly climbs up. "Whoah..." Payew's mind is boggled at what he is seeing. *0:12* *0:11* *0:09* 10 seconds left in the game, Tayaw is interrupted by another announcement by a stewardess. /Ladies and gentlemen, as we start out descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are upright. Make sure your seat belt/ "Alright." Tayaw turns off the phone's screen. "The score!-" Payew is worried about the score being reset but is forced to forget about it as he feels the plane is starting to descend. ~ "Phew The street is crowded with students. Now I feel it. I'm really going to university here." Payew says as he and Tayaw step inside his New York apartment. "Here." Tayaw suddenly hands him a card. "What's this for?" Payew asks. "Do you still remember the time you, Agew, and I went to Ouigab two years ago? When we opened a college fund for you and Agew?" Tayaw asks. "Yeah? This is the card for mine?" Payew asks. "Yes. Have fun, but don't empty it." Tayaw says. "Haha. I don't even know what to buy. You already got my textbooks for me too." Payew says. "" Tayaw only stares at Payew in return. "What's up with you?" Payew is weirded out by the stare. "Nothing. Time. It just passes by so fast." Tayaw says. "It does, huh?" Payew politely says despite feeling the contrary. "Alright. I'll go leave now. If you need help with something, or an emergency arises, call Phil and the other number I gave you. Only call the second number if you REALLY need it, okay?" Tayaw says. "Okay. I got it. You told me many times already, I memorized both numbers." Payew assures Tayaw. "Good." Tayaw nods. "Good luck with your tour too. I'll check it out if ever you pass through New York." Payew says. "Yeah. I'll call when I'm in town and give you tickets for you and any friend you make. You on the other hand, don't forget to always update mom and dad with what you're up to, 'kay?" Tayaw says. "Yeah. I sure will. I don't wanna get the same earful mom gave you." Payew says and with that the brothers give each other a bear hug before parting. ~~~ An hour later Jericho, Long Island. *slam* *slam* Tayaw rushes to his bedroom. He lied to Payew about going to Nashville immediately and instead heads to the nearest place he can lock himself in alone; his Jericho mansion. As for the reason, he is to prepare for something just in case. After finally feeling ready, he lies down on his bed, and he waits. The next moment, he is dragged away from the real world into the ~white void~. 'View Points 1,000,000,000' He is greeted by the long line of golden, shimmering, digits. "Finally." Tayaw smiles in satisfaction and he simply stares at the number he has patiently been anticipating for almost two years. Suddenly, "WHAT THE F.U.C.K?!" Tayaw can only helplessly scream as '999,999,999' '973,654,654' '819,866,296' the view points start unloading to who knows where. The number soon reaches zero and the void starts *whom* *whom* *whom* pulsating. "" Tayaw can only watch his surroundings, especially the pen and the guitar, hoping they will not disappear or damaged. Soon, the void returns again to its previous boring state, the treasures in it still intact. Before Tayaw can wonder where his points went, the 'ARTS RECORD' start pulsating like how it did in the first time he saw it. Tayaw accesses it and unlike his expectation of seeing the giant roulette, his jaw drops and his heart is startled at what, and who he is seeing. Within the vast whiteness of where the giant roulette used to be, is now what looks like a giant music record store with towering white shelves spreading into the distance. Each towering shelf contain what looks like vinyl records with covers. Right in front of him, right at the center of the 'store', surrounded by all the shelves, is what looks to be a check-out counter. What scared Tayaw however is that the counter is manned by a very beautiful racially ambiguous woman who seems to be the cashier. "Hi~ Welcome to Arts Records! I'm Kim! How can I help you today?" Kim introduces herself and the 'store'. "Hi" Tayaw can only stare at Kim, dumbfounded at the situation. "Yes?" Kim, not at all weirded out by Tayaw's stare, asks with an accommodating smile. "Uhh how did you get in here?" Tayaw asks. "" The woman however is still smiling at him as if not hearing his question. "Uhm where's the giant roulette?" Tayaw asks again and his question is ignored once again. "Kim?" Worried that something is wrong, Tayaw calls out Kim's name. "Yes. What can I do for you?" Kim responds, to Tayaw's relief. He then decides to ask a different type of question. "uhh.. what do you sell?" Tayaw asks. "All sorts of things! I am glad to tell you that in our store, we have thousands upon thousands of good movies and TV shows, thousands of novels, millions of songs, comic books, games, anything you can entertain yourself with! Not only that, we also sell skills and abilities! As long as you can afford them, we are glad to do business." Kim introduces the 'Store' with a proud smile. 'So that's where my billion points went' Tayaw nods. " Uhhh.. I had a billion points, now I don't, so I can't buy anything. Do you know where they went?" Tayaw tests Kim, but just like his question about the roulette, it was ignored again by the woman. " Uhh.. Kim?" Tayaw checks with Kim again. "Yes, sir?" Kim replies, frustrating Tayaw. "I can't buy anything right now as I don't have any points." Tayaw tries again. "Well, that's okay. You can just come back again." Kim says. 'Huh Is Kim an AI robot, or something?' A funny thought crosses Tayaw's mind. "Where are you from, Kim?" Tayaw asks. "" Kim ignores the question again. 'Ah Must be some illusion by whoever gave me this ability. They make Kim ignore questions that are irrelevant to the 'Store' ' Tayaw can only shrug off his questions. "Okay. I'm Tayaw, by the way. I'll frequent this place in the future." Tayaw introduces himself. "Wait! Tayaw?" Kim asks, scaring Tayaw. "Yes? You know me?" Tayaw asks. "No but. There is something for you here." Kim stoops down behind the counter and pulls something out. "Here it is! Oh! Looks like one of our best products! It's already been paid for you to pick up!" Kim says as she raises a vinyl record for Tayaw to see. 'Post Congenital Perfect Creative Imagery' 'to be picked up by Tayaw' Tayaw reads the words printed and written on the record's cover. "Oh! Yes. I'm here to pick that up." Tayaw says, guessing that the record is a side bonus of the point exchange upgrade. "Well why didn't you say so? Here you are." Kim hands the record over. "Thank you. Hey, can I look around this place?" Tayaw asks. "Well uh. This place is huge and you'd need LADDERS! Just ask me what you need, and I'll give you some suggestions. You don't have to go looking for stuff yourself." Kim says. Tayaw processes this information and he immediately decides to test Kim again. "Do you sell Perfect pitch?" Tayaw asks. "Perfect Pitch! Ah! We only had one copy! But it was bought by someone. It sold for 10,000,000 points; I think?" Kim says. 'Alright. Whoever or whatever gave me the void has a weird of humor' Tayaw scoffs. "That's too bad How about Peter McKinsey's artist record?" Tayaw asks again just for his amus.e.m.e.nt. "Oh. Sorry. We don't have that anymore. But even if we have it on hand, It's expensive." Kim says. "How much?" Tayaw asks. "It sold for 100,000,000 so maybe that's the price we'll sell it for to you once we get a copy again." Kim replies. "" Tayaw can only stare at Kim again to see if she is messing with him. Ultimately he feels like Kim is innocent. "I bet you're also out of stock for your 'Basic Film Making Skills', right?" Tayaw asks once again. "How did you know?" Kim's eyes widen. "Did someone send you?" Kim asks. "PUHHAAHAHA!" Tayaw loses it her words. "What's so funny?" Kim asks. "Nothing, Kim. Nothing. Well, you say you have everything, but you don't have the stuff I'm looking for." Tayaw decides to mess with Kim to see how much she really knows. "We had what you were looking for. You just got here later than the buyers." Kim says, almost offended. "" Tayaw is taken aback by the good comeback. "Okay. You're right. How about 'Advance Film Making Skills'?" Tayaw asks. "That we have! It's 10 million points!" Kim immediately cites the price proudly. Tayaw nods at this. 'The billion points is worth it. The randomness of point exchange has reduced significantly. And an AI to make things easier' Tayaw thinks to himself. "Hey Kim. How do I use this record?" Tayaw asks once again. "" He is ignored again. Tayaw can only give up. "Alright. Can I look around still? I might find something that I might like." Tayaw asks, knowing that Kim will answer this time. "Sure! Go ahead." Kim says.
