Tales of the Admins

[Garrett Jax]

I need a vacation, Garrett complained, as the never ending stacks of Admin paperwork stretched higher and higher upon his desk. He felt a subtle pull compelling him toward Central Command, the hub between realities.

This reality, where he served as an Admin, was only one of an almost endless stream of realities that any person could venture into. There were more sophisticated and more popular realities in the multiverse, but this reality was, by far, Garrett's favorite.

All realities were connected to the main reality, called Real Life--A frightening place that many people eagerly sought to avoid. Inevitably, every single person, without exception, was forced to reconnect with this main reality for at least a short time if they wished to survive. Some would spend the barest amount of time in Real Life, before flittering off to another reality. others would spend most of their time in Real Life and only embark on a brief jaunt into a different reality they found more entertaining.

Garrett had been one of the former, but he sensed that the time was coming for a change. This reality, although fun at first, was becoming more work and less enjoyment. Now, with all the responsibilities he had, it was tough to determine whether this was more work than Real Life or not. His realities were getting mixed up. Real Life was now the vacation and this reality was the work. How did that happen, he wondered.

It was time for a vacation to Real Life, he decided. He found his way to Central Command, punched a few buttons on the console and eventually hundreds of door icons flashed up on the monitor, each one taking him to a different reality. There was a door marked DOTA, a very popular reality destination for many. There was another reality named WoW, where only the nerdiest and saddest people dwelt.

Garrett scrolled through the doors until he found the one that was labeled Real Life. He pressed the icon and instantly a door materialized before him that would take him away from this reality and back home where the inhabitants knew nothing of Garrett Jax, the Admin. In Real Life, he was simply known as Bob, husband and father.

He stared at the door for a time, having second thoughts. Did he really want to go back to Real Life. He thought of all the work he would have to do, comparing it with the work load he had here. Home repairs, time with kids and a new job awaited him on the other side of the door. He'd grown too accustomed to this reality. Despite its problems, there was much to enjoy here. He discovered that it was nearly impossible for him to leave now.

A voice from behind him broke him out of his thoughts. It was King Boo.

"Open the door, Garrett," the ghostly Admin whispered. "Take your vacation."

Garret smiled. "I know I need to. It's just hard to leave."

Aerelm appeared out of thin air. He pointed at the Real Life door and said, "Get out of here and enjoy your vacation, Garrett."

Garrett hesitated. Soon, Farmerbrad, Tunicle, Hawk and Blodo joined the group. They all, in one chorus, urged him to leave. Alley appeared and even opened the door for him, revealing to Garrett his house with the kids playing in the living room and his wife preparing dinner. The food smelled wonderful. Still, he stopped himself from walking through the door. What about Disco, he asked?

The admins didn't listen to him. Farmerbrad pressed a few buttons on his Server Control Arm Band, and all the mods were beamed behind him, armed with steel toed boots.

"Oh no," Garrett cried.

"Oh yes," they responded.

Each of the mods took turns kicking Garrett, joy on their faces for the opportunity for payback. Garrett held tightly to the door frame, desperately trying to stay away from Real Life. Pain from the kicks took their toll on him and weakened his grip. From the other side of the doorway, his son and daughter approached him and asked him to spend time with them, weakening his resolve even more. Finally, his wife called out from the kitchen, telling him dinner was ready. She made his favorite--spaghetti.

He couldn't take anymore. The lure of Real Life was too strong. He had to go. He turned around and bowed to the entire Staff.

"See you all when I get back," he exclaimed. "Thanks for the push out the door. I needed it."

The Staff bowed in return.

With that, he crossed the threshold into Real Life and into the arms of his happy children. The door to Disco dissolved behind him leaving him feeling somewhat empty, but with a considerable amount of free time on his hands. As he sat down to dinner, he observed the happy faces around him. He wasn't going to have any trouble figuring out how to fill all that extra time.

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