“Gandalf Goes West”
by
Chris Power
HAL STANDS IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN. On the screen the words GANDALF GOES EAST.
GO EAST, types Hal.
The cursor flashes.
BILBO GOES EAST, the screen says.
The cursor flashes.
Another line of text appears: GANDALF GOES WEST, it says.
Hal clenches his hands once, twice. He cannot progress in the game without Gandalf. GO WEST, he types.
The cursor flashes.
BILBO GOES WEST, the screen says.
Ben comes into the room and walks over to Hal. He reads the words on the screen from top to bottom:
GANDALF GOES EAST
GO EAST
BILBO GOES EAST
GANDALF GOES WEST
GO WEST
BILBO GOES WEST
GANDALF GOES EAST
Hal turns to Ben. How are you? Hal says.
Ben stares at the screen.
Stay, says Ben.
Read the rest of Chris Power’s short story “Gandalf Goes West” at The White Review.
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