Subject: [OTL]: [GenX] The Game
Date: Fri, 15 Jan 1999 14:53:13 PST
From: "Dyce of Destiny" <dycemeister@hotmail.com>

Disclaimer: The people are not mine. The game is. You all know the
drill.  This is just a bit of non-continuity type fluff that I found
gathering dust in an old folder, and decided to share.

The Game
By Dyce.

It's one of fortune's little quirks,
That deadly danger often lurks,
Not in pits of darksome gloom,
But sunny Sunday afternoons.

Of course, it's not there all the time,
Not until you hear that whine,
Hide the cat and lock the door,
Generation X is bored.

Homework as done as it will get,
Not time for Sunday dinner yet,
One and all failed at romance…
The pleasant day don't stand a chance.

A game of Scrabble, would that do?
Not for more than three or two…
The little kids won't share the fort,
And there's nothing on TV but sport.

The teachers are a useless pair,
One doubts they even really care,
"Why don't you go and play outside?"
Poor old Banshee finally cried.

"Go on out and get some sun!
Kick a ball and have some fun."
Now, we both realise, me and you,
That Sean did not think that one through.

Out they trooped, their heads hung low,
One and all trying to show,
That they weren't going to bet,
That this would be worth doing. Yet.

Soccer, rugby, a game of touch
Footy didn't thrill them much.
Baseball was a boring game,
Cricket really much the same.

Just no challenge, with their powers
(they went on like that for several hours)
Until amidst the sulks and groans,
A voice said "Let's make up our own!"

Soon ideas flew thick and fast,
Boredom a thing of the past.
Voices raised, suggestions to call -
And they voted that they'd use them all.

First of all it was agreed,
That to be fun the game would need,
To cover just a tad more space…
And maybe should include a race.

Tackling and sneaky tricks,
Not to mention bites and kicks,
Are simply not to be left out -
The game has got to have some clout!

Both sides take a hostage or two,
No need to let that bother you.
And it's not a cause for exclamation,
To torture them for information.

Obstacles really are a must,
And you realise of course, I trust,
That it's going to be extremely boring,
Without some complicated scoring.

Points gained for finding all the bases,
(every time in different places)
Then you have to find the ball,
(it's really not so hard at all)

Then you get your team together
(that alone could take forever)
Lose a point for each you can't find
(two if they join the other side)

Bonus points are handy features,
(in case you're spotted by the teachers)
And of course, the points are double,
If you, the player, get in trouble.

Then you tally up the score,
Add seven and divide by four,
Then through the garden, round the hall,
To see who scores the winning goal.

There's only really time for one,
For although the game is lots of fun,
It also tends to get quite rough -
And one goal is really quite enough.

They decided every single rule,
For the best game ever played at school.
They reasoned out each twist and turn,
Made sure that all the rules were learned.

And when they finally had it straight,
It had really gotten far too late,
And to their surprise and sorrow,
They'd have to wait to play tomorrow.