Future Games - RT Shores

The Sedentary Olympics

"Is the list ready?" The games' advisor called across the hallway.

"Yes, sir! Right here!" I rolled across to him.

"Good, good, fine, fine!" He commented.

"What do you think of the new games?" I watched as he looked at each new listing.

"What is this 'page turning endurance'?

"You will love this one! It is with real paper books! They actually hold the book, touch it, and turn the pages as they read. Some books are heavy and very long, like 1000 pages! It will be an event!"

"'Hidden Object'? What is that? In the olden days, people had scavenger hunts, but now, being mostly chair-bound, they do them online. I have an idea to do them in our chairs!"

"What will they look for though? There isn't much outside anymore and we will have to watch all the warnings too."

"I thought of that and have decided to use one of the historical museums. I think the one called "Mall of the Americas". There are things called stores and they items inside and it would be protected too."

My boss nodded and I was ready to bring up the most controversial topic.

"Chair races? No, no, no!" He spouted loudly.

"But sir, it wouldn't be a real race, more maneuvering around corners and people and up and down escalator lifts."

"Okay, but we don't want hearts taxed."

"Anything else?"

I was scared to broach the subject, but went for it. "Standing... " I said very quietly.

"What? speak up, boy!"

"Standing, sir."

"Standing?" He laughed until it was uncomfortable. "Who can stand besides the children?"

"More than you think, sir and with the new world coming, we need to be able to stand and even walk one day."

"But won't the legs break from the weight?"

"Not everyone is that obese, sir and many do exercises due to boredom and I think it could encourage others to move more."

"Do you know anyone personally who can stand up?" I nodded.

I rolled back in my chair and hoped I could stand as long as could during the secret trials. I locked my chair, but left it in the air so that I didn't have to push up from a low position. My body creaked and cracked, but soon I was standing.

He watched and even looked behind me for some cheat item.

My stopwatch was counting and I knew I was passed one minute by now. I breathed slowly, until the pain became to much and then lowered my chair a bit and collapsed into it, tired and sweaty.

"Impressive! Very impressive! Can you train me to do that?" I nodded.

"Yes, sir and we would like to train everyone eventually and not have chairs fitted to the children automatically, but only if they have an actual problem with walking."

"Good idea... I must talk to the Supreme Commander, but it can wait until after the games."

I understood, for if we showed him it was possible, it might be approved. World change was coming and people wouldn't just need to be able to stand, but to walk, run and even fight. The games were an exercise from mental boredom, but they needed to become exercises in physical strength.
***

The night before the games I was summoned to the Supreme Commanders office. I dressed in my most flattering tunic, too large now, but a good blue and headed to his office.

I was welcomed by his staff and ushered in and offered a tripe thick milk shake. I declined and they gasped.

"Why do you reject the food, Trainer?"

"It has too many calories for my plans to have my body more fit, sir. No offense was intended." I hung my head.

"Show me this standing thing!"

I did as before, but made sure to stop before I collapsed and looked distressed this time. I was even able to take a step forward and the guards surged toward me in their chairs.

I sat down and waited.

"Can you teach me this?" I nodded.

"Yes, sir and you can lead us out of fear into the new world!" I watched as he inflated with self importance.

"Yes!  It will be done!"

The Sedentary Games were now titled The Preparatory Games and life went forward.

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