Arena

Immersion Playground

Book #2: Arena

Chapter 1

Rick Chamfer wheels his Ford into a parking spot in front of the Immersion Playground offices. As he exits his car, he again admires the gleaming new Porsche belonging to Charlie Rose, the striking blue sports car made possible by Immersion Playground. Charlene and Todd Rose, along with Rick and his wife Giselle, formed Immersion Playground less than a year ago to release the immersion of Rick's marriage proposal to Giselle. That immersion was, as Todd later described it, lightening in a bottle.

At first, Immersion Playground languished in obscurity until the immersion was reviewed by Adult Industry News, most commonly known by its initials, AIN. That review was picked up by first one, and then multiple, mainstream outlets, and soon Immersion Playground found itself in the enviable position of being the company with the product everyone was talking about.

The Proposal

went on to sell more than a million copies before the fervor began to die down, netting Immersion Playground a quick two hundred and fifty million dollars in profit. Not a bad return on an initial startup cost of just over one hundred thousand dollars. Though the immersion is still selling well, the initial crush of sales is past, and Rick knows it's only a matter of time before sales begin to plummet. If Immersion Playground is going to be a success, they need to have another immersion ready to bring to market before that occurs.

To that end, the four partners agreed months ago it's time to begin treating Immersion Playground like a business instead of a piggy bank. Todd Rose is the company's first, and thus far, only full-time employee. Experienced in marketing, Todd is able to bring a wide range of talents to the company. It was his idea to create Immersion Playground as a niche company and to create a new segment in the market where, for a while at least, they can play alone. He's also almost entirely responsible for getting the company where it is now by creating the upscale image the company projects. The jury is still out on whether or not Immersion Playground has been able to distance itself from the rest of the adult industry, but Rick considers the fact that the jury is still out a major victory.

As capable as Todd is, he can't do everything himself, so Charlie has moved her small modeling agency,

C. Rose Agency

, from an extra room in their house to the offices of Immersion Playground. While technically she works for Immersion Playground part time, being in the office each day allows her to help when needed, while at the same time also running her own business.

Rick's the third member of the Immersion Playground team. Like Charlie, Rick works for Immersion Playground only when necessary, mostly as the face of the company. When the company was first started it made sense for him to be the company spokesman, since he and Giselle own seventy-five percent of the company and are the stars of the company's only product. He's tried several times in the last five months to move Todd into the role of spokesman, but Todd has steadfastly resisted the idea, claiming it would be damaging to the company image. Rick isn't entirely sure he believes him but is afraid to call his bluff.

The Immersion Playground offices are in an upscale office park where they lease a suite of four offices, a small conference room, kitchen, reception area, and a storage area with a loading dock. Charlie and Todd occupy two of the offices, Rick the third when he needs it, and the fourth is furnished but kept empty in the hopes that Immersion Playground will grow to the point that Giselle can quit the law firm she currently works for and join them as their company lawyer.

Rick enters the stylishly-decorated office and makes another a mental note they need a receptionist. They had one for a while, one of Charlie's models, but Teri is no longer available for part-time work since her career has taken off. Truthfully, since the initial rush of interest, they really don't need one, but it bothers Rick that the first thing a person sees when entering Immersion Playground is an empty room.

He's reaching for the door to the back offices when it swings open as Charlie enters to see who has come in.

"Oh, it's just you," Charlie says with a teasing grin.

The door to the inner office is locked, opening only when it detects the chip of one of the four partners. After losing their receptionist, Rick set up the office net so the front door pings any of the four partners in the building when it opens, so they can greet their guests.

"Good to see you too, Charlie," Rick says with a chuckle as he follows her into the back office area.

The suite is arranged with the conference room, kitchen, and the single bathroom with shower on the right side of the central hall. The four equally-sized offices are on the left, with the storage area taking up the full width of the suite at the back.

"Oh, don't be so sensitive," Charlie teases, turning into the first office. "I just forgot you were going to be here today. We're not used to you being here on Thursday."

"Well, I couldn't talk Todd into doing the interview with AIN so I had to come in. I suppose I could have gone to their offices again, but I thought it'd be beneficial to show them we really do have offices of our own." Unlike the last time he talked with Adult Industry News. For that interview he told a fib about them not being fully settled into their new offices... offices they hadn't even rented yet.

"Well, since you're here, I have something to talk to you about. I have another gladiatrix to look at," she says as they sit down in large comfortable chairs. "I knew it was going to be hard to find the right combination of sex appeal, strength, and size, not to mention just being willing to do this. But if this one doesn't work out, I think I might have to lower my criteria a little."

Charlie's office consists of a large, tilting table with a raised chair behind it and four oversized comfortable armchairs for guests. With the arrival of the neural network, the workplace has changed as such society in general. Being chipped to access the neural network, commonly known as the 'net', has eliminated much of the traditional office furnishings such as phones, filing cabinets, and even desks.

"I don't know what was wrong with..." He pauses and snaps his fingers rapidly, trying to recall the name. "The Jamaican chick. What was her name?"

"Naomi."

"Naomi. What was wrong with her? She was stunning and acted like she wanted to do it."

"Yeah, and that may be who we go back to if this one doesn't work out. The problem I had with Naomi is she was a little

too

eager to do it. Like it was all a game. She certainly looked the part, I'll give you that, but I'm not sure she was going to take it seriously enough. After all, we're pouring a shit load of money into this production, and if we don't get what we need the first time, we'll be back at square one."

"Isn't that what we need? Someone who wants to get in there and mix it up with some guy?"

"Yes..." she says slowly, "but I'd d rather have someone that wants to win more than just have a romp."

"I have absolute faith in you, Charlie, but we're going to have to find someone soon or—"

Rick and Charlie receive a ping. "Someone's here," she interrupts.

"That's probably AIN," he says, rising from the chair. "Why don't you get Todd and come out and let me introduce you? This is a team effort, after all."

While Charlie goes to get Todd, Rick opens the door to the reception area. "Jocelyn, good to see you again," he greets, walking to the pretty, middle-aged woman standing in the middle of the room and shaking her hand. "Come on back. Can I get you anything?"

"A water would be nice... and a chance to use the loo," Jocelyn admits.

He smiles. "Sure. Why don't you drop your stuff in here?" he suggests, pointing into the conference room. "The bathroom is the last door on your right, and I will get a water and have it waiting for you when you get back."

As Rick and Jocelyn proceed down the hall, Todd and Charlie step out of Todd's office. "I'm getting Jocelyn a water. Either of you want anything?" Rick asks.

"I don't," Todd says, looking to Charlie, who shakes her head.

"I'll meet you guys in the conference room then," Rick says before moving past.

A few long moments later, Jocelyn bustles into the conference room. "Whew," she breathes, cracking open the bottle of water. "If I hadn't gotten that out of the way, this would have been one of the shortest interviews in history."

"Jocelyn, I'd like to introduce Charlie and Todd Rose. They are the other half of Immersion Playground, and the glue that holds the whole thing together. Charlie, Todd, this is Jocelyn White, Adult Industry News," Rick says, pausing while hands are shaken. "Charlie is responsible for talent, Todd, operations."

Jocelyn gives Charlie and Todd an appraising look. "Are you two married?"

"Yes, sixteen years now," Charlie says.

"Have you thought about doing a sequel to Rick and Giselle's immersion?"

They stand mute for a moment before Todd answers, "No, not really."

"You should. You two certainly have the looks for it," Jocelyn says as she looks them over with a critical eye. She then turns to Rick. "I stopped in a while back to try and pick up some company information. I still don't understand why you don't advertise with some brochures or something. Anyway, I spoke to your receptionist a little while I was here. Is everybody that works here drop dead gorgeous?"

Rick begins to laugh. "Everybody but me."

"Don't sell yourself short, Rick. Never do that. It's bad for business, but I like the fact that having millions of women lusting after you hasn't gone to your head," Jocelyn says with a grin.

"Thanks guys," Rick says with a nod to Charlie and Todd as they take their leave. "Are you ready to get started?" he asks Jocelyn.

"Yes. Are you ready to go on the record?"

"Yes. Fire away."

When he first started doing interviews he was a nervous wreck, but as he did more of them he learned to relax. This is the third interview he's done with Jocelyn, and he appreciates her no nonsense, straight talking approach.

"I'm recording," she says, then states the date, time and who is in the room. "We're on the record, Rick."

"We're on the record," he repeats, a little trick he's picked up.

She winks at him in approval. "Rick, I see that you're still going your own way with Immersion Playground. Nobody knows for sure, as you haven't released your sales numbers, but it seems that

The Proposal

has sold well?" Her voice lilts up at the end, making the statement a question.

"Very well," he confirms.

"Care to tell me how many copies?"

"We don't release our sales figures, Jocelyn. Not even to you," he says with a smile, taking the sting out of the words.

"Why is that, Rick? Most companies would be bragging all over town if they had a hit like yours."

"As you said, we do things differently. You know our product. You're the one that put us on the map, after all. Our product speaks for itself. Those individuals that can appreciate what we're doing will find us. I don't see any need to kiss and tell, so to speak."

"I appreciate your discretion, Rick, but best guess puts your sales somewhere north of two million units," she wheedles.

"I've heard worse guesses," he says, smile still in place.

"Oooh, you are a cagy one," she replies with a teasing grin. "Okay, since you won't tell me anything useful about your sales, how about the future of the company. What are your plans?"

"Right now, our plans are to survive. We're working very hard to not be a one-hit wonder and to turn out another quality product. After that, who knows? And that isn't marketing speak or being cagy. I really don't know what happens next. If the next immersion is as big a success as

The Proposal,

then who knows what may happen? Somebody might come in here and dump a pile of cash on the table and we'll will retire to our own island. If it flops, it could very well be the end of Immersion Playground. It really depends on how our next release goes."

"So there is definitely another immersion coming?"

"There is. I won't go into specifics, though."

"My sources indicate you are looking for something very specific. Big, strong, and it goes without saying, sexy women."

"I won't confirm or deny that, but let me say that we hope to make the next release as fresh and appealing as our last."

"Does this forthcoming release have a name?"

"Yes." He smiles, enjoying the game.

"But you won't tell me what it is?" she asks, grinning in reply.

"No."

Jocelyn pauses for a moment, thinking. "You're not going to tell me a goddamn thing, are you?"

"Not about our future product. Not if I can help it," he says with a laugh. "I'll make you a deal. Don't go printing a bunch of unconfirmed rumors that may or may not be true, and I'll give you exclusive access before the launch. You've been more than fair to our little startup and I think that should be rewarded. The problem is, the sharks are beginning to circle, and honestly, all we have is an idea. We're working our asses off trying to execute that idea, but an idea is all it is at the moment."

"Deal," she says without hesitation. "When do you think you'll launch?"

"Honestly, I don't know. When it's done. Soon, I hope. If we don't go into production this summer we're going to have to think about our next step."

She's quiet for a time. "Rick, we are off the record. Now, I like you and what you and your company are doing. I wouldn't do this for just anyone, but is there anything I can do to help? I have a lot of contacts, people that might be able to help you if you get in a bind."

"Thank you, Jocelyn. That means a lot to me, but I think we're good. The wheels are turning. We just need to find the right people."

"Why don't you use Charlie and Todd? That Charlie is a fucking knockout, and Todd isn't hard on the eyes either."

Starting from the age of sixteen, Charlie spent ten years modeling, becoming quite popular as a calendar pinup girl. A bit taller than average, with dark hair and dark eyes, even at thirty-seven Charlie can stop conversation by simply walking into a room. Rick still has a calendar featuring Charlie posing with his antique 2010 Aston Martin DBS hanging in his garage.

Where Charlie is dark, thanks to her Italian genes, Todd looks like the stereotypical California beach bum, with sandy blond hair and piercing blue eyes, even though both he and Charlie are from the midwest. Six feet tall and slight of build, Todd was a state-record-holding swimmer on his high school swim team, and still has the long-limbed, lean-muscled look of a swimmer.

"Not really the right type for what we're doing, but I'd like to do something with them in the future if they're willing, and we can find the right situation for them. Their immersion would very much mirror Giselle's and mine."

She looks hard at Rick for a few moments. "I'm really intrigued by what you're doing. There isn't a man alive that wouldn't want to bed Charlie, but she isn't right for the part? What are you up to, Rick Chamfer?" He smiles again, but says nothing. "You're really pissing me off, Rick," Jocelyn growls playfully, shaking her head. "Okay, just don't forget our deal."

"I won't. You've been nothing but fair to us. We will be fair right back. How's... uh... Tim?" The last time he'd spoken to Jocelyn he was left with the feeling that trouble was brewing between them.

"He's doing fine. After we experienced your immersion we were kind of rocked back on our heels, but we worked through it, and now our marriage is better than ever. I guess we kind of owe you a debt of gratitude for that."

"Your review jump-started our company, so I'd say we're at least even."

"Okay, even it is." She begins gathering up her things. "You'll let me know about the next release as soon as possible, right?"

"You'll be the first to know," he says, his sincerity clear in his voice.

"I'm going to hold you to that," she replies, shaking Rick's hand.

"Yes, I'm sure you will," he chuckles.

After escorting Jocelyn to her car, Rick checks the time. He has thirty minutes to kill before heading home. He stops by Charlie's office and waits outside her door as she talks to thin air, setting up an appointment with someone. She closes the ping and looks at him.

"Sierra Pederson will be here at ten in the morning. Keep your fingers crossed this is the one," Charlie says, crossing her own fingers.

"What is it about her that has caught your eye?"

During the time they've been looking for their female star, Charlie has refined what she is looking for down to a very specific set of criteria.

"Well, first of all, she looks the part," she explains, sending him a photo. "Second, she has sass, and I like that."

He opens the photo when it hits his mail box and finds himself looking at shot of a young woman that appears to be at the pinnacle of health. Light brown hair that's cut short, she's smiling into the camera from behind sunglasses... while hanging hundreds of feet off the ground on a rock wall. He notices that she's free climbing, hanging from one hand without the use of a safety tether, and he feels his eyebrows creep up.

"Yeah. Like I said, she's got sass. She told me she's six-two and you can tell from that photo there isn't an ounce of fat on her."

"Pretty girl," he says blandly. "You think she's up for what we have in mind?"

"We'll know tomorrow, but she's into the extreme sports scene. Mountain climbing, triathlon, stuff like that. She said she's done some boxing. I think if we present this in the right way, yeah, she might consider it a challenge. We'll see tomorrow."

He recalls the picture for another look before closing the link. Ms. Pederson looks like she can kick some serious ass. "We've been looking for four months to find the right woman. How long do you think it'll take to find the guy? The set is going to be ready sometime in the next thirty days, according to Todd."

"I know. I know! But if we don't find the right people, this isn't going to work. I'm going as fast as I can, Rick."

He makes placating gestures with his hands. "I know you are, Charlie. I'm not rushing you. I agree that the people are what will make or break this immersion. I was just wondering what you think, that's all."

"Sorry. I'm just frustrated," she says, taking a deep, calming breath. "I have five guys on my shortlist. I think it's going to be a lot easier to find the man than the woman. That's why I'm starting with the woman. Once we have her, I'll find the guy to pair her with."

"If anyone can do it, you can," he encourages, and he means it.

Charlie has a keen eye for talent and can read people better than anyone he knows. It's that ability that's made

C. Rose Agency

a small but well-respected modeling agency.

"Yeah, yeah," she replies without out much humor. "Doing this as an immersion makes it a lot harder. You can't just pretend. You have to

be

. That's what keeps killing us."

"I know, Charlie, I know," he says, trying to cheer her up.

The latest in entertainment is the immersion. An offshoot of the neural network, an immersion is an artificial dream state that disconnects the person from reality and substitutes stimuli supplied through the chip implanted at the base of the brain, the same chip used to access the rest of the net. Any stimuli recorded, touch, scent, taste, hearing, or sight, even emotions to some degree, are supplied by the chip and the brain interprets the stimuli as sensations, causing the person experiencing the immersion to relive the event. Other than recalling the immersion is fabricated because it must be initiated, the events experienced while in the immersion state are just as real as if the person had lived it out themselves. That's what makes creating an immersion so difficult. Unlike actors in vids, participants in the immersion have to live the moment.