Life 2.0 - Based on a true story

"Nothing is what it seems" My friend told me, staring at my face intently. "One year ago I was working happily at one of the top IT companies in Bangalore, and I thought the years of Engineering had paid off. Life was good and I was looking forward to a family, buying a house, a family, etc.

"But then something happened. I dont actually remember being offered a red and a blue pill, but looking back at how my life has changed, it might as well have happened. For no apparent reason, my world changed completely. I was OUT OF IT. What was once the only world I know no longer appeared real to me. I felt I was alone and everything else was an illusion. It was a very clever illusion, created by a superior intelligence, but once I had seen it for what it is, there were cracks everywhere...glitches in the programming of the Matrix.

" I am scared. I don't know who to trust any more, my colleagues, even my parents...could they all be part of the illusion? I want to go back to my world, where things are simple and I was happy. I don't want to lock myself in this room 24/7. How can I get it all back?

" Welcome to level 2 of the game" I said, stroking my long white beard, wondering to myself why is it that all wise men had to have long beards/hair and flowing robes, it was soo clichéd. I wonder who designed my Avtar. Perhaps some inexperienced kid sitting in a small cubicle in Bangalore. Anyway my appearance in the game was brief, so they probably had to work with an archetype. It takes time to flesh out a character fully.

"The game? What game?" My friend asked me.

"I dont know that, you will have to look at the box or brochure to find out what game it is. For want of a better name, lets call it THE GAME OF LIFE. My role is to introduce you to Level 2. In your case, it is time for me to make an appearance."

My friend sat back and turned to the window, silent, blankly staring at the passing scenery, lost in his own thought, as our car sped on the way to the Psychiatric Hospital. He seemed a little cramped because of the two strong guards with him on the seat.

"This is bullshit. You are forcibly taking me to a Psychiatric Hospital. Just because you look like Gandalf, it doesn't make you a Grand Wizard!"

I cringed inside and feverently prayed that when they looked at the logs of this session, they would redesign my Avatar, so I didn't look so stupid.

"But on the other hand, he continued "what you are saying does tie in with everything that has happened to me so far. But I dont want level 2, I just want my world back" I said nothing. He paused and then continued in a subdued voice " I am never going to get it back, am I?"

"Why am I being punished now? What did I do wrong on level 2?"

"You did nothing. You quit your job, locked yourself in your room and refused to talk to anyone. You cannot live like that, cut off from everyone. "

"How was I to know that?"

"The game is like snakes and ladders sometimes. If you step on the wrong square a snake will swallow you. Six months ago, I came to your door to warn you, but you wouldn't listen. Now the trap door opened and we are falling through the chute. You have to pay attention to the rules of the game. "

"Where does this chute lead to?"

"It leads to the Psychiatric Hospital. Miss a turn. From there you will learn the first rule of level2. Except for the few people who have made the transition, you cannot let on that you are a level2 player. You have to pretend you are level one when talking to a level one player - which by the way, are by far the majority.

"Level2 gives you a lot of extra powers, but it can be scary too. Once you get the hang of it, you will have fun on this level. The terrain remains the same apparently, but a level2 player sees a lot more challenges, cheats, etc. that a level 1 player does not see.

"Now that we have reached the hospital, its time to bid farewell. Before I go let me tell you this - even in the hospital, you are a level2 player. The sooner you can convince them you are fine, the sooner you get back to the game. Play the game right and you can have fun; money, girls, whatever you want..is far easier to get for a level2 player. Play it wrong and you will end up in another dark, cold corner, huddled up in fear. Have fun @ level2, bye....