First of all, let me say Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays or whatever, since the next story I do will be after Christmas. Next, let me say I’m sorry that I’ve been bad about reading stories lately. I tend to be very busy these days, but I’ll make an effort. Lastly, this is not based on a true story.
copyright Jean L Hays
Distortion
“Honey, I’m worried.”
Nag.
“I think you might have a problem.”
Overbearing.
“I love you and I just want to spend time with you.”
Emotional blackmail.
She finally looked into his eyes that were snapping like firecrackers. Why was he so angry? She worked hard; couldn’t she relax?
“Fine. I’m going out.”
Ah, peace.
“Can you pick up milk?” she called after him.
She clicked START on her 673rd game of the weekend and the familiar music washed over her mind like a long overdue narcotic rush. Come on high score, she thought, as the colored blocks began to fall.
The Green-Walled Tower 
December 18th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
Dear David,
Is there a support group for video game addicts? I’d say she has a definitely problem, but I don’t think she’s ready to do Step 1. 😉
I’m glad this isn’t a true story. Have a wonderful holiday.
shalom,
Rochelle
December 21st, 2013 at 7:38 pm
It’s hard when you see your addiction as just a healthy stress relief. It’s all about moderation, right?
December 18th, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Addictive writing, David, well done.
December 21st, 2013 at 7:38 pm
Thank you. I know that for myself, blogging has been habit forming.
December 18th, 2013 at 8:52 pm
Republicou isso em VIVIMETALIUN.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:42 pm
Oooh, I think I recognise somebody here. Nicely captured.
December 18th, 2013 at 10:48 pm
Brilliant 😀 Now, where did I put my controller?
December 19th, 2013 at 9:46 am
🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 12:48 am
Been on both sides of that coin, sadly. Well done.
December 21st, 2013 at 7:36 pm
I’ve gotten close to that occasionally. Minecraft and Civilization: two games with no great stopping places.
December 19th, 2013 at 1:00 am
another bold, very effective story format from you. well done. and im glad this isn’t based on a true story 🙂 happy holidays!
December 19th, 2013 at 8:58 am
Thanks, and the same to you. 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 2:19 am
Very effective — and I like that you didn’t reveal upfront which spouse was the “nag” and which was the emotionally unavailable partner. Apparently video-game addiction is an equal opportunity ailment!
A very Merry Christmas to you as well, David.
December 19th, 2013 at 8:58 am
I had it the other way first, with the guy being the addict, but I thought it was a bit cliched, so I switched it, since it’s definitely not just a problem for guys.
December 19th, 2013 at 4:36 am
Happy holidays indeed! I almost sent you a quick note, when I saw our posts go up at almost the exact same time! Crazy early here, and I hope much more reasonable there…. i love the back and forth here, with the little asides that say even more. I’ve been known to play a little too much Lexulous (on line Scrabble)… but my problem is tiny… teeny tiny… really small. Really. Nice job!
December 19th, 2013 at 8:57 am
I noticed that our posts went up at the same time. You beat me by a second. 😉 I’ve played a bit of Lexulous myself. It’s usually those games that take a little brain power but not too much that I find myself playing for a long time.
December 19th, 2013 at 9:04 am
Ditto… very addictive for killing time. But I could get very addictive to writing multiple stories for each prompt. This is the 2nd week in a row that I did two, and then had to remind myself to reign it in! Admittedly, I did a teeny fist bump when I got in before you… on the west coast, I always wake up to 20 others ahead of me. Being up all night paid off, but it won’t happen often. 😉
December 19th, 2013 at 10:34 am
That’s true, it all depends on what time zone people are in. I’m glad you did. 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 11:05 am
I’ve got good company this week! 😀
December 19th, 2013 at 11:05 am
*neighbors*
December 19th, 2013 at 6:09 am
Ah the multicolored face of addiction, whatever form it takes. If only it came more often in the form of adoration for your partner.
December 19th, 2013 at 8:56 am
That would be nice, although too much might get annoying after a while. 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Merry Christmas to you, as well.
Damn. This really cuts deep. 21st century distractions make for 21st century problems. Of course, video games have been a source of distraction for decades now, but not at this level of accessibility.
Excellent commentary. You really captured how I (and I know my fiance, as well) feel at times. It’s something you work through. I like that you’ve brought reality to paper.
CF
December 19th, 2013 at 8:55 am
I’ve been in similar situations to this before, on both sides of it. I was going to use something like World of Warcraft, but that’s a more obvious one, so I went with Tetris, since anything can get that addictive. Thanks for the comment.
December 19th, 2013 at 10:04 am
HI David. You’ve captured the manipulation in a novel way. Don’t tell her about Candy Crush. Merry Christmas!
December 19th, 2013 at 10:35 am
That’s true. 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
all the video game addicts i have met in flesh are men, and they truly act like your leading lady, if you are around them act invisible, dont try to watch what they are playing even silently-if they lose they will blame you 🙂
They will rather prefer you out of their radars 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
Most are men, it seems, but there are plenty of women out there too and I wanted to show a less-seen side of things.
December 19th, 2013 at 9:30 pm
First class. 🙂
December 21st, 2013 at 7:35 pm
Thanks 🙂
December 19th, 2013 at 10:50 pm
I hope I and my never have to face this. Poor guy.
December 21st, 2013 at 7:35 pm
It’s a frustrating situation when one person can’t even see the situation as a problem.
December 20th, 2013 at 2:13 am
We all have our weaknesses. I enjoy Suduko and love to read and write. My wife, on the other hand, loves to talk–even when no one is listening 🙂
December 21st, 2013 at 7:34 pm
Everyone needs a hobby, right? 🙂
December 20th, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Ha! There’s more than one way to skin a cat. Great diversion. 😉
December 20th, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Well done, with a nice switch up there at the end. Once upon a time i was addicted to Pong. Really. The technology blew us away!
December 21st, 2013 at 7:24 pm
That was pretty revolutionary in its time. I wonder when the first game addiction occurred; maybe with cavemen throwing bones against a wall.
December 20th, 2013 at 10:55 pm
She sounds like me. Except for the videogaming part (that sounds like him). Great work! Creative storytelling here!
December 21st, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Thanks. Hopefully I never get like this, even about Minecraft (which is my favorite game.) 🙂
December 21st, 2013 at 8:26 am
I know a few video game addicts. Okay, I live with a couple. Great story. Happy Holidays to you!! Things will slow down for me too. Have a great one.
December 21st, 2013 at 7:01 pm
I try not to be like this, although sometimes my wife thinks I’m too absorbed in what I’m doing. 🙂
December 22nd, 2013 at 6:35 am
So many elements here. This is thought provoking.
December 23rd, 2013 at 2:50 am
Oh, the bitter and comic irony! And here are all we FFers glued to our computers reading and commenting like there’s no … Christmas! Happy Christmas holiday to you too. Ann 🙂