Expiscor Terminus of Orbis Terrarum | [Basic] | Accepting | Started

[Ezio]

Joel walked through the crowded streets of London. He soon found himself in the centre of Oxford Street. He stood in the middle of the pavement and just looked around. He was so happy to be there. He looked at all the shops. Went into one of the large clothing shops - topman. He looked around all the clothes so bright and colourful! The only clothes back at the lands where dull coloured. Either because they've been worn for 10 years or were produced on site - short of colourings.

He picked up shirts, jackets, jeans all of which he wanted to buy. He soon realised - he had no money. Nothing. There was no need for a currency in the UPE, all trades were direct and shared. He knew how much better for everyone and everything it was at the UPE but for some reason he just loved the old capitalist way of life. He knew all of the downsides, but he knew he wouldn't have been one that suffered. He'd of been one of the ones living in luxury and freedom. Buy and own whatever you want! That was different in the UPE, clothing, housing and work were all distributed and allocated.

A bag caught his eye, a red and black bag, looked practical yet aesthetical. He knew he had no money, but he wanted it, what difference would it make to anyone if he just took it? None, he thought. He saw the security tag that would beep him out if he were just to take it. He looked around and then pulled a paper-clip out of his back pocket and fiddle with the security tag. he then slung it over his shoulder. He picked up some clothes he liked and took the security tags off them and stuffed them all in the bag. He then simply walked out of the shop.

Uh-oh, he thought, I'm being tested aren't I?. He remembered. Well it's too late now... can't exactly walk back in and put them back, can I? He thought. So he just continued walking the crowded streets. He bumped into someone. "Sorry." He said as he continued to walk.

"Hey, what was that for, where do you think you're going?! You wanna go, punk? DO YA?!?" Joel heard shouted down his neck as he walked. Seem's I'm gonna have to take this guy one he thought. I'm pretty sure that time I spent fighting alone wasn't completely useless. He thought to himself as he spun around provocatively. He then looked up. He had to if he wanted to look this guy in the eye - he was huge. He must have been at least seven foot. And you don't see that very often. And he wasn't lanky. He was very well built. Looked immensely strong... looks can be deceiving. He thought, knowing it wouldn't make him gain courage.

"Not so tough are you now, punk? Not when you have to face me!" he boomed, his eyes widened - as did his evil grin.

"Sorry about the misunderstanding, can't we just settle this at a solemn apology and both be on our way." Joel looked at a clock inside a shop. "I have to be somewhere very soon... surprisingly soon." Joel said, realising it would be within the minute. He realised, he had done nothing to pass such a test.

"Call your family, parents, partner, children, friends or anyone, somebody you love. Call as many as possible and tell them how much you love them. You have 50 seconds to do this. If you don't do this, you'll spend an eternity wishing you did. And try not to cry..." Joel said, he looked down and saw a child holding a balloon coming out of Hamleys the toy store. The smile on her face as she hopped along the street holding her mothers hand. A tear ran down Joel's face as he knew she was about to die. They all were.

He soon realised a crowd had gathered around him and this gigantic man's confrontation.
"ALL OF YOU! CALL YOUR LOVED ONES, TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM. IF YOU DON'T YOU'LL REGRET IT... if only you could regret it...." Joel said to the crow of shocked people. Many heckled, and few took out their mobile phones, making those all-important phone calls, soon more and more began to call. Joel simply wiped away his tear and walked away.

And within that minute he heard, saw, smelt and felt nothing. Only realised that everything that was previously there was now gone. He had dematerialised just as the bombs landed. He then found himself on the floor at Poseidon's feet.

"That was your test... that?" Joel uttered.

"Yes, phase one. And I have to say you passed. With flying, inventive colours. You did possibly even better than myself! Which believe me I didn't think was possible, well, not from an earthling anyway." Poseidon replied with a light-hearted chuckle.

"So... how many more phases are there?" Joel asked.

"Oh don't worry. Just one more. But really, don't worry. Unless you do something unthinkable, you'll probably pass just from the high standard set by your phase one response." Poseidon said with his old warm smile, still the same from 10 years ago.