Today, when I went into the office, Tricia had left a note on my desk that was rather peculiar.  It said that Philip had called and wanted me to call back as soon as I could.  What was odd about this note is that I wasn’t sure who Philip was– but it would all become obvious in a short period of time.

"Hello, Philip?"

"Yes, hello Adam.  Remember me?"

"I have to admit that I’m having a hard time trying to place where I know you from."

"That’s expected.  You were here back when you were 11 years old– I’m Philip from England!"

"Wow, that was quite a while back.  How are you?"

"I’m doing all right.  I’m just not sure why you called or how I can help you."

"Well, I was surfing the web the other day when I found your website."

"Oh, that must be the one Tricia put up."

"And I was wondering if you could help me as I’m trying to find out about used cars."

"What, over here in America?"

"No, here in England.  I was told that I would need to sell my car because it was getting to be too much in repair costs, and with all the different dealerships offering everything from car loans to car insurance, I was hoping that you could help me out."

"I’m not sure how much help I can be when I’m all the way–"

"– but you have a website, so you must know something about sites online.  Do you know anything about Netcars.co.uk?"

"Not really but–"

"–well, I’m willing to pay you to find out if they’re a good site."

"Well," not knowing what else to say, "I’ll let you know what I find out."

Turns out that Netcars.co.uk is one of the UK’s leading automotive websites, allowing browsers to search through thousands of used cars for sale throughout the UK. Netcars also provide customers the chance to advertise their cars for sale, apply for a car loan or obtain car insurance quotes instantly online. I called Philip back to let him know– what a strange day.

"Noah, Tricia, Laura and I wanted to take the time to tell you Merry Christmas!"  Adam wrote on the paper.

"That sounds pretty cheesy," laughed Noah, "I mean, you could just sign our names at the bottom of some card that had better text than that."

"Should we include a picture?"  Tricia wondered aloud.

"Do we even have a picture of the four of us?"  Laura asked.

"I don’t think so, but next time we see one of those sales we should get one," I said.

"But Adam, we’re just fictional characters.  Our writer probably got our photos out of stock photography and would have to actually do some photoshopping to get us in the same frame."

"That’s true," Laura remarked.  "But it would be a great present to us and our readers."

"Now, if we could only let him know what’s on our list!"  Adam said.

"Hey, MInTheGap!  Any way we can get a photo of all of us together for Christmas."

Who knows, maybe they’ll get their gift…  Stay tuned, and Merry Christmas!

“So, let me get this straight. We’re in some sort of game and you just joined us?”

“Yes, I overheard Matt and Noelle plotting to erase your memories just before I came in, but I thought it impossible.” Tricia had calmed down by now.

“So, who are we?”

“You’re Adam, a college graduated who is a detective. I am your cousin, Noah, who helps you. That over there is Tricia, your secretary. She was fired from her job at the museum the day this whole mystery started.”

“Fine, now if the goal is to regain our memories, haven’t we?”

“No, I doubt it, considering that you are still here. Now, just in case you do go on to the next level, the computer will generate my image, after that I can join you. Therefore, as soon as you realize that you are still in the game, contact me. This will cause the computer’s generation, then I can step in.”

“Fine, but what don’t we know?”

“I have no idea, but it’s getting late, and I think you ought to get some rest.”

“That sounds like a great idea.” We all said good night to each other and went to our separate rooms. I fell asleep, and then was awoke by a knock on the door. I got up and answered it. “Hello?”

“Adam, I think I have got it!” Tricia said.

“Got what?”

“I think I know what we don’t know!”

“How can you know what we don’t know?!”

“Well, what were the things Matt said that we didn’t know?”

“Our names, our friends, and where we were.”

“Yes, and, if we are married or not!”

“Right!”

“So, let’s call Noah and ask him!” I picked up the phone and dialed Noah’s number. After many rings I got him and asked him the question.

“Noah, are Tricia and I married?”

“No. Why, did you think you were?”

“No, it’s just that that was the last thing we had to know in order to go to the next level!”

“Oh! I wonder when it will happen.”

“Probably when we least suspect it. Right now, I’m going back to bed. Good-bye.” I said and hung up. Tricia said likewise and returned to her room. I went back to my spring mattress and fell asleep. I started to dream of who my wife would be. I fell deeper into sleep.