Collision Course [+ Additional Levels]

Level Fourteen - Strange Feelings

Jumpman stuck a hand in a jacket pocket and fished out a couple bills. "We're thinking we'll be here for at least a couple hours."

The man gave a nod. "Righteo then."

"You're just too much, you know that, right?" QBert told him.

Mr. Watterson chuckled as he accepted the cash. He opened the register to exchange the bills for quarters. "No, you kids are, really―"

"Hey, Mr. Watt!" a voice called.

Mr. Watterson looked up to see a teenage boy with shaggy blond hair and a baggy blue sweatshirt run up and slap the desk. Hanging out of his jean pockets were streams of tickets. "I'm all out of coins and I wanna start buyin," the boy said with a grin.

Mr. Watterson smiled and nodded to him, turning back to the register. "All right, sonny. You start takin' your pick. I'll get right to you."

"Mr. Watterson?" QBert asked suddenly.

The sprightly man looked at him, laying the quarters in the palm of his hand to count them. "Yes, Mr. Hubert?" he asked, arching a bushy gray eyebrow.

"I wanna take on a challenge," QBert told him.

Jumpman was momentarily surprised, but then smiled. QBert was getting into his gaming mood. This was good. That meant that he was feeling better.

Mr. Watterson gave a hearty laugh. "Hooboy! Back in business, are we now?"

QBert shrugged, watching as Mr. Watterson handed his friend the quarters. "Something like that," he replied.

Mr. Watterson rolled up his already rolled up sleeves a little, pushed the bridge of his glasses further up on his nose, and set his hands upon the counter, eyeing him carefully. Jumpman noticed that the boy with the baggy sweatshirt was watching them, wondering what was going on. The air was tense as Mr. Watterson stared at QBert. QBert held the man's gaze, and even cocked a brow at him daringly.

After a long pause, Mr. Watterson squinted. "Okay," he said, finally coming to his decision. Jumpman and Sweatshirt unintentionally held their breaths as they watched expectantly. "I challenge you," Mr. Watterson began, "to beat [number of levels here] of Q*bert." He straightened as he looked at him. "The rules be," he continued, "that you have only an hour, and you can only use three quarters." He held up three fingers. "Three lives, and you're out."

"What!?" Sweatshirt gaped at Mr. Watterson. "The entire [number of levels]? But, but..." He shook in disbelief. "That's impossible!"

"Deal," QBert told Mr. Watterson, accepting his offer. "And not only will I do it, but I'll beat it."

Sweatshirt gasped, staring at QBert, his eyes big. "What!?"

Mr. Watterson paused, eyeing QBert. "You know, if any other kid came into my arcade and said what you just said, I would've laughed, but," a small smile formed on his lips, "not you."

QBert grinned.

The boy with the baggy sweatshirt gaping at them just shook his head, leaning up against the counter. "You're crazy, dude. Just crazy."

QBert simply smirked at him. "Maybe."

"You watch 'im for me, Jessie," Mr. Watterson said. Jumpman nodded. "I know you're a responsible fellow. Make sure he's followin' the rules."

"Wait, what's his reward?" Sweatshirt suddenly asked them. QBert arched his brow at Mr. Watterson, letting him decide.

The owner smiled. "You see this wall here?" he asked, gesturing to the wall of prizes behind him. It had stuffed animals, to electronics, and everything that you'd expect as a prize in between. "You get to choose any prize that ya want on this wall per quarter. Use one quarter, get three prizes. Two quarters, get two prizes, and so on," he explained. "But if ye go above and beyond my challenge," Mr. Watterson smiled, "then you won't have to pay a single quarter for the rest of your visits here playin' in my arcade."