Scene Setting Story

Barker

1/29/09

Scene

"You're no match for my powers!" were the first words that greeted me when I entered my 12th floor Piano Row dorm Thursday afternoon. I walked in to see exactly what I had expected. My roommate, Ben Austin lounging on his bed in his usual jeans and T-shirt attire, browsing his computer, completely unfazed by the beautiful Boston scenery that awaited just outside the window next to him. And our good friend Ryan wearing his usual Boston Bruins winter hat sits in my desk chair, his normal gaming location, while he plays the classic N64 game "Blitz 2001." The inside of the room alone would tell you that a sports game would be completely appropriate to be on the television. Jason Varitek sits above my head while Kevin Garnett and David Ortiz are stuck to the window. Fenway Park decorates the door, and an autographed copy of A-Rod slapping the ball out of Arroyo's hand tops it all off. "You're no match for my powers!" the game repeats again, this time drawing a response from Ryan. "Oh my God, a 65 yard return."

Although Ryan's room is eight floors below, his guitar, clothes, DVD's and video game's all litter the 1208 suite as if it were his own. Sneakers and books hide the carpet, making jumping from bed to bed the most common means of transportation within the room. No words are spoken between the two until Ben becomes bored with his laptop and wants in on the video game.

"I CHALLENGE YOU!" Ben declares as the two set up the grade. When the game does not start, Ryan takes out the cartridge and blows into it vigorously, hoping that this will somehow fix the problem. The rivalry begins once again and as the game progresses the insults heat up. "HE WAS ON FIRE DAMNIT!" Ben stands up and yells as he throws the football right into the arms of one Ryan's defenders. This amuses Ryan as he shouts in his usual high pitched voice, "You're never going to catch meee!" As if the setting needs anymore evidence that these are two typical college freshman boys, the conversation about football inevitably turns to food. "I want an apple strudel" I hear Ryan grumble as I make my exit.