MINDGAMES
The complete science-fiction/fantasy novel
In 2034, one of the most popular forms of entertainment is "mindgaming". Rooted in role-playing games like "Dungeons and Dragons", mindgamers are connected directly to a central computer and play the game within their own minds, resulting in an experience that is startlingly realistic while being guaranteed completely safe.
Until now.
Eric Arne, the creator of mindgaming, is hosting his final game. He has invited seven of the top players in the country to be a part of his scenario. But as the game unwinds, things begin to go wrong. First, one of the participants dies, yet the game continues. Then the technicians are locked out of the system, just as they discover that one of the players is an imposter. And finally, someone tries to take over the mind of one of the players.
As the truth slowly comes out, the players -- and one in particular -- realize that if they are to survive the game, they must battle an enemy they cannot see, and they must do so within the context of the game.
Choose a section to begin (or continue) reading:
Note: Click on a chapter. The text will open in a new window.
Chapter 1: "You Are Cordially Invited...."
Chapter 2: Plan...Counterplan
Chapter 3: "Let the Games Begin!"
Note: Click on a chapter. The text will open in a new window.
Chapter 4: The Great Train Wreck of '84 and Other Matters
Chapter 5: Partners In a Nightmare
Chapter 6: The Army of the Undead
Chapter 7: Distant Early Warning
Chapter 8: Woman of Sorrows
Chapter 9: A Mind Divided
Chapter 10: "Now This Is A Game!"
Chapter 11: The Threads of Insanity
Chapter 12: In Pursuit of Immortality
Chapter 13: "This Is No Ordinary Game!"
Note: Click on a chapter. The text will open in a new window.
Chapter 14: The Beast
Chapter 15: "We Were Lucky"
Chapter 16: Eric's Legacy
ABOUT THE SETTING
Although "Mindgames" is a work of fiction, the novel is set in a real town. Normal, Illinois, is located about two hours south-southwest of Chicago. It is home to Illinois State University, and, at one time, to Game Designers Workshop, before the economy killed it off. I've used these real places, as well as others, in a totally fictional way. Any resemblance between the characters and real persons is, as ever, a coincidence.
I've taken photos of several of the real locations that inspired the settings for the novel, from The Chateau, where Eric stays in Chapter 2, to the factory where the adventurers engage in the final battle. To see these photos, click on "The Setting", below.
Although the game is set in 1984, the photos were taken some two decades later. Thus, there will be some discrepancies between the descriptions in the novel (beyond the deterioration caused by the abandonment of the area, of course!) and the reality in the photos. That's what time does, you know.