"Truth is not elusive. We avoid it. We do not desire honesty, as it makes us aware of our complicity. Truth is a singular shining light that burns away our comfortable illusions. Therefore, a child is not healthy to absorb the whole of any truth, and not one of us is yet fully grown." - Nights In Forever
In those formative years just before high school, I had next-door neighbors with a son a few years my senior. The only electronic entertainment in their home was a simple 13" color TV in his room with an NES and three or four games. Normally he'd come over and enjoy our larger gaming library and bigger TV, but my own family strife meant every now and then we'd grab a few games and head to his house, sacrificing screen size and gaming access for peace and quiet.
One day after school, I stopped by his home and found an unusual sight; his mother and older sister were in his room, boxy grey controllers in hand, playing the original Super Mario Bros. I'd known my friend for over a year and had no clue anyone else in his family played games; no one in mine ever did. I was further surprised to realize that his mother was in world six; who went there when the warp pipes bypassed all of that?
My friend told me we'd have to game at my place, seeing as his mom and sis would likely be at this 'till past bedtime. They took over the NES on occasion, and would exclusively play through Super Mario Bros. several times in a row, from the beginning until 8-4, and loop again.
