"So, talk, Tann
er. What's up?" I turned on the coffee maker and walked over to the windows.
"It’s all over the chatrooms – there were cops at your place. People are saying you got busted for drugs and this was not the first time," Tanner said. "What do you need to tell me?"
"Someone is after me, or messing with me. The cops showed up with a search warrant, but they left empty-handed. I'm clean, so I don't know what is going on."
"You're clean? You're telling the truth?" Tanner asked.
"Yes. You know me. Now, what I need to know is who started the rumor," I said.
"I don't have time for you to go all hacker all over the chatrooms," he objected. "You've got to go in for a voluntary drug test. And I mean today. Like now. We've got to do damage control."
"Really?" I pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Yes, really. Your sponsors don't want any drug use tied to them or their products. And you risk losing your spot in the big Dark Flag tournament," Tanner said. "The whole industry fights hard to get distance from the pot-smoking player images."
"Me too. I'm the one being harassed by the police for that very reason," I said. "Listen, what if I start speaking out about it? Like interviews and blog articles?"
"Not bad, not bad. But it’s time to take a drug test and get a lawyer. No more cops at your place. Find out where it’s coming from," Tanner said.
He hung up and I went back to the kitchen. Quinn handed me a full mug of coffee.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Oh, sure, yeah. I might lose my sponsors and my spot in the Dark Flag tournament. And I have to go and take a drug test today."
Quinn put a hand on my cheek. "What can I do?"
"Let me see you in those little running shorts?" I asked.
She patted my cheek and went to change.
After Quinn had gone home, I checked the chatrooms. Tanner had banned me from posting anything even in my own defense. It was hard to see all the speculation, lies, and judgments. I had to leave my computer after only five minutes. It was hard to catch my breath I was so angry.
"Whoa, somebody lose an elf duel or something?" Jasper asked. He strolled through the front door and tossed his keys on the coffee table.
"More like fighting off trolls," I said.
"Comment trolls or game trolls?"
"Chatroom," I said.
He nodded sympathetically. "They're the worst. What are they saying? You know you can't take any of that to heart, right?"
"How about a second police search? Can I take that to heart?" I asked. "Can I be angry that my entire home was picked apart again? Or how about that someone is casually ruining my career? Can I be upset about that?"
"Seriously, man. You need to calm down. Yeah, you can be upset, but don't lose it completely," Jasper said. He stalked off towards his room.
I cut him off before the hallway. "How about we have a little chat, roommate? Because as far as I can see, this is not just a me problem. The cops are searching your apartment too, or have you forgotten that you live here?"
"I'm clean, man, it’s got nothing to do with me," Jasper said.
I stepped forward and sent Jasper back towards the kitchen. "So we're both clean, but the cops keep thinking they are going to find drugs here. Something's off and I would think you'd be more interested in straightening it out."
"I guess, but what am I supposed to do?" Jasper asked. "Do you know who's making the complaints?"
"Do you?" I asked.