Earth Online: From the Start, the Authorities Tried to Recruit Me

“Name?”

“Zhen Cheng.”

“Sex?”

“Male.”

“Age?”

“Eighteen.”

“Home address?”

“Officer, here’s my ID.”

“Don’t try to be clever. We’re going through the motions.”

“Oh. Building 3, Unit 1, Apartment 1701, Future Garden, Weixian County, Haidai Province.”

“Why did you sneak into a construction site in the middle of the night?”

“I was curious about the explosion a few days ago. I figured I’d sneak in and take a look once things had died down.”

“Enough. I’m not going to waste time on this nonsense. I’ll ask you straight: you’re a Player, right?”

“A Player? What’s that?”

“According to the announcement issued by the higher-ups a few days ago, Players who voluntarily join the official organization will be offered civil servant status and benefits, including six types of insurance and two housing funds...”

“I’m definitely a Player, Officer! Let me serve the country! I mean, someone as outstanding as me, a Young Pioneer, an exemplary Youth League member, and a probationary Party member, should be putting my talents to work for the nation! If the country needs me, I’ll gladly lay down my life for it!!!”

“Calm down. And also...”

“Calm down about what? Eighteen is the perfect age to strive for success! Officer, please, you have to let me join a government agency!!!”