(TFT) Do you remember the first time you played?

[<Gavin@TheFantasyQuest.com>]

> David Michael Grouchy II wrote:
>
> > Do you remember the first time you played?

In July of 1979 I spent a week in Monroe, Wisconsin, knocking on doors and 
inviting the locals to join us at evening church.  We were holding a 
week-long, old-fashioned Gospel Meeting at little start-up church which my 
congregation back in Nashville supported..  I was 15, and very out-of-place 
among the old-timers, but I had a good book to read (I think it was "The 
Sword of Shannara"?).  Besides:  I love cheese (see "Monroe Wisconsin: 
America's 'Little Switzerland").

Sunday after services the gang of us went to the local Luby's cafeteria, 
located at the entrance of a little shopping mall.  Bored by the after 
dinner conversation, I wandered into the mall to find a little game and toy 
store.  I can't be certain, but I think it was Kay-Bee.  A display greeted 
me invitingly as I stepped into the store.  "Dungeons & Dragons".  I had 
heard of this new game for college kids and brainiacs, and - although I was 
neither - had been intending to investigate it for myself.

"Regularly $12, on sale for $9.99" read the sign.  Still too rich for my 
blood, being almost out of travelling cash.  I asked the sales clerk at the 
counter if she knew of a game "like Dungeons & Dragons - but cheaper?".  She 
pointed at a little counter-top display just to my left, and no more than a 
foot from my left elbow.  "Melee, Wizard, Ogre, Rivets" I read, feeling the 
excitement welling up within as the titles stirred my imagination. "That one 
on the front, 'Melee', is exactly like D&D, except it comes in a baggie and 
doesn't have dice"  quoth the clerk.

Oh, how wrong she was (thank the Lord!).

That evening as I devoured TFT Melee, I knew that my life had changed 
forever.  I enthusiastically (but quietly) played alone on the floor of the 
motel room by lamplight as B.B.Boyd (age 62) slept in the other double bed. 
I didn't sleep a wink that night.

The next morning, on the way out of town, I somehow talked the Boyds (B.B. & 
Kitty, who were my ride home) to stop back by the mall.  I spent my last 
$3.95+tax on "Wizard", and giggled all the way back to Nashville.

Gavin 
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