I, along with the chair, am now falling into a bottomless pit. I felt weightless, but heavy at the same time because of the air below me which pushed up with great force. Although I couldn't see anything, the soft moans and exhilarated shrieks of thousands could be picked up by my acute sense of hearing. I called out to George and Bill, "GEORGE?! BILL?!"
"God damn it, Vincent! Don't yell so loud! Were right here next to you, see?" George, somehow, managed to locate my hand and grabbed onto it. He then pulled me over to Bill who's hand was already in a position to take me in. Together, we formed a small circle, like the ones that parachuters would create.
We kept falling and falling and falling and...a question popped into my head. "Guys! if this hole has an end to it, then shouldn't we...I don't know...make a better landing?" my voice faded at the end, not sure of what to suggest.
Bill laughed, "Vincent, you worry too much! If there was an end to the fall then, we would all be dead by now no matter how you land." That wasn't very reassuring by any means.
George said, "He's kidding with you! Mr. Grey isn't going to let twenty thousand people die before they give the world some entertainment."
Bill added, "But, what if he made clones of each of us and wants to replace them with them?"
George sniggered, "Bill, we both know this. It's not easy to make a human clone, much less twenty thousand! The only advancements that people have made are in agriculture and small mammals. It'll still take a couple of decades before humans are even considered!"
Bill sounded like he was sighing, "But, still..."
Suddenly, a small sound of gas leaking was present in the air around us. Alarmed, I said, "George! Bill! Cover your noses with anything!" I, myself, shrouded my nose with my sleeve. The twins sounded like they were doing the same. Our hands were no longer united, so we slowly drifted apart. I soon found myself feeling still in a never-ending expanse. My senses became numb, and my consciousness became foggy. I tried to reignite my brain from falling for the gas by thinking of anything. But, the drug in the air was too strong. My elbow gradually felt weak, and I let it drop. The gas smelled like over-ripened bananas as it invaded my nostrils. I feel it spreading throughout my body. Everything was...
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Micheal Grey POV:
I stepped into the safe zone with the rest of the crew. Hundreds of holovisions were turned on to showcase the myriad of people falling to their fake demise. It was really fun watching them fall. Some were scared in the beginning, and then they got bored as time passed on. Others were finding random people to kiss and make love to. That part was weird, but the even weirder part was when one of our cameras found a dude jerking off in the corner. I ordered the operator of the cameras to save that part. I'm not a pedophile or a perverted person wanting to jerk off to someone else jerk off. No, this is blackmail.
Moving on, I found my main area of interest when my eyes glossed over Vincent. He and his buddies were sticking together. This was honorable, but I would make it a bit harder. My lips curved into a sinister smile; what would he think of his? I told one of the operators, "Turn on the gas."
The operator looked over his shoulder and said, "Sir, the gas is scheduled to turn on in exactly three minutes. Is it possible to wait?"
I looked at the screen earnestly and replied, "Nope." The operator flipped a switch and buzzed in another operator.
"Sleeping Gas #43: Go." He gave me thumbs up, and I watched.
Vincent and his buddies separated while covering their noses. Smart. But, they wouldn't last long. I asked the operator, "Could you move the illumination over there?" I pointed to Vincent. The operator did so. I could see his weakening body and mind. His arm slid off his nose and draped over his chest. His eyes were slowly opening and closing as more and more gas infiltrated his body. I looked a the hundreds of other screens. Most of the other contestants had already passed out and were snoring with peace. It was only a matter of time before Vincent would de the same.
I turned from the crowd of huddled people and dialed Flin.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Flin POV:
I answered Micheal's call, "Hello."
"Flin, where are you?"
I looked around. There was darkness and...well, that's about it. "I'm in whatever game you set up to play with them."
"How are you not asleep yet?"
I moved my wrinkled hands to my wrinkled face. I was old. I didn't want to do this, but if I didn't, what would I do. "I've got a gas mask on."
"Okay, good. After I pull you out of there, you're free to do whatever you want until Vincent is out of the games."
"Ok."
"Cool. See ya later." The call cut.
I sighed. I contemplated my life. The darkness comforted me. It seemed to give me all the time in the world to cry my regrets and sulk about my sorrows. What did I have left for me? Did I have a family to call my own? No. Do have someone waiting for me to come home every day? Nope. Does anyone love me? I chuckled. Not even close. So, why do I keep working? Why do I keep earning money that can be burned without regret? For what? For who? Lost in my thoughts, I peeled off my mask and welcomed the state of amnesia.