Part I
Weeks of careful planing and preparation are about to finally come to a head. Every detail exactly as it should be. Every moment planed out perfectly.... except for one fatal flaw. Only the smallest oversight, anyone could have made the same mistake. The Gamestop I was ordering Final Fantasy XIII from was not doing a midnight release. Within a heartbeat anticipation turns to fear, all hope fading into bleak darkness. But then as if sent from heaven, one single glimmer catches the eye. One speck of light amongst the all consuming darkness. The AF Gamestop is doing a midnight release!
Part II
With new found anticipation and hope I serge headlong toward that faint glimmer of light in the darkness. As I struggle with each breath to get closer and closer, the darkness pulling at me, slowing my every step, my every attempt to achieve that oh so important goal. I get lost..... I cannot find the store I am looking for. All streets look the same, street signs are either not posted or do not give usable information. Time grows short, the hour approaches near when the store will close. And worse, they may be all out of the treasure that I seek. The darkness again begins to pull me into its cold embrace, mocking me, attempting to squeeze out every last bit of my finite will. Then, yet again, another faint hope shines before me. Out of the corner of my eye I see the red and white colors of the Gamestop sign.
Part III
Again I am hopeful, yet afraid. I have come so far. What will await me within? Will I be able to obtain the prize I seek? With heart pounding and breath shallow I enter the destination I have worked so hard to find. I approach the counter carefully, not wanting to face the reality I may find there. I open my mouth to speak but words fail me. I attempt it again but am only shakily able to put forth the question burning within. "Is it too late to reserve a copy of Final Fantasy?" I hold my breath, time stands still. I begin to feel feint, I may not make it through the next few moments. But then the answer comes. "No, I still have some left." The darkness that had enshrouded me for so long is finally lifted. I have found my treasure, my journey is nearly complete! I need only wait with all the patience that I can muster the last four and one half hours left until I can finally hold my precious treasure in my hands.
Part IV
As the appointed hour drew near my excitement could hardly be contained. With child like glee I climbed into my vehicle. I headed toward my destination as fast as the law would allow. But disaster struck yet again. I was lost, it was as if the store had moved in my absence. With almost no traffic every red light mocked my frazzled state as they held me for no apparent reason. Patience escaped me entirely. Without direction or a cool head with which to reorient myself I wandered in circles, endless, meaningless, circles. I cursed my unreliable sense of direction time and again, only serving to make the situation worse. By chance I happened to see my destination in the distance, however the streets continued to mock me, not offering me a passable way to make it to the location of my desire. But finally, even the most incoherent lay of land was unable to stop me from reaching my ultimate goal.
