Internet 24

Confetti falls from the sky, and a poorly handmade "CONGRATULATIONS" sign floats in the air. The island looks like the Missing Aisle but floating in the cosmos.

KURT

Congratulations man. You did it.

My mouth is gap-faced like a goldfish. I want to scream, but the words are stuck behind my uvula. My vision starts to blur as tears fill the rim of my eyelid.

KURT

It's ok. Let it out.

My fist slams onto the floor as I scream as the bone-crushing weight that's been sewn onto my back slowly drops to the floor. My eyes gush tears as I yell into the space. I can feel the gaze of the birds, the gorillas, and every beast on every island as my yell echoes throughout the trial. The starry sky is filled with cheers and roars as they join me. A chorus of joy, pent-up frustration, and passion shake the islands as Kurt bellows a laugh.

KURT

There we go. We have all been waiting for this.

We couldn't take it easy on you, but that

doesn't mean we wanted this for you.

Kurt holds his hand out for me. I barely see it past my tears, but I grab him. Once on my feet, I take a few deep breaths to regain a normal rhythm. Once there, I look up at the sign.

RYE

So, my debt?

KURT

Gone.

RYE

For all the items?

KURT

All of them. They entirely belong to you,

and you can do whatever you want with them.

There are some new laws you must follow

now that you are Offline.

RYE

Right, that's what you call magical people.

KURT

Not me personally, just how we are referred to.

Thats for another day. What I want to know is

what's next for you?

RYE

I am going to sleep for a week.

KURT

I mean after that. You will continue working your

current gig now that you don't have as many bills.

That pays super well and all, but is it what you want?

RYE

I... haven't thought that far ahead.

I really haven't. I've been so hyper-focused on

beating this challenge that it never occurred to me

that I would need to think of that afterward,

which is strange for me to do.

Was it because of that i was able to

beat the trial, or was it my constant overthinking?

I like owning my own franchise, but what if I decided to stay as an owner and let someone else manage? I know Margret will understand and agree once I explain everything.

I can show up every two weeks to check in and live off that. Though, I want to do something more. The trial was like a fun puzzle, with intricate designs and thought-out ideas.

RYE

What if I worked here?

A grin stretches across Ken's face.

KURT

You mean run the aisle?

RYE

More like the trial. There is so much I don't

know, and this was just the tip. I want to learn more.

KURT

It's possible. Tons of people balance their everyday

life and being Offline. Being a trial designer

means you must be able to beat it and be in

charge of some monumental decisions. Thats if

you can make it up to that spot. A lot of people

go for it. Are you sure you are up to it?

RYE

Yes.

Kurt perks up with excitement. He shakes my hand vigorously.

KURT

Perfect! I would love to help you

get there. You finally have a spine, man.

RYE

Chill.

KURT

Let's head back to the aisle to talk more about it.

Do you have any ideas rattling in your head?

RYE

Yeah, the first thing I will do is get rid of the slugs.