Stephanie stopped just outside of "In-Game Connections" and looked to the little warning sign put up just outside the front door. It read: "This Shop is Moderator-Run Kiosk which distributes items allowing you to use 'Real Word' items from your computer.
"As you know," it continued, "Using Alt-Tab is removed from use when using a Total Immersion Suit with Prince Herald's Unfinished Kingdom, much to the dismay of many users. IGC looks to distribute In-Character items that allow the User to connect back to their programs from an In-Character perspective, but like the Custom Whisper device that each Character begins play with.
"Do note, PHUK does not override your default MP3 Player, Web Browser, or any other of your own programs. Though you will be able to witness the programs through an In-Game Interface, those items do not directly interact with PHUK. If you use iTunes, that will be your MP3 player. If you use FireFox, that will be your Web Browser. Do note, PHUK only uses your Default Applications. To change which programs PHUK calls up, you must change your defaults. Additionally, PHUK is not responsible for game lag or memory leaks caused by the use third-party applications or plug-ins.
"Attempted hacks or circumvention of such interaction between PHUK and your own programs to alter The Kingdom will result in banning of Account," Stephanie gritted her teeth at that last one. Regardless of how much trouble she liked to make in the Real or Virtual worlds, she didn't want to risk loosing her PHUK account.
She looked behind her and noted that most everyone in the hallway seemed to be acting like they didn't even see the store. That must mean NPC's have no idea of this connection, which makes sense. It might create a paradox for their poor little minds, she smirked, stepping into the store and looking around.
"Can I help you?" the man behind the counter said, glancing down at the computer screen in front of him. "Stephanie," he added as she stepped closer. The store itself was only half visible. At the front, it was mostly black metal and wood design along the inside, dressed up with the brown, red, and white colors of the PHUK logo, and a In-Game versions of the Real World posters used to advertise the Game all posted along the walls. In the back, it looked to be black with red digital code flowing down going off into infinity
The man's form was a somewhat shorter and lean, brownish red-furred humanoid kistune. His eyes appeared to be closed, but he followed her every movement up to the main desk. He had nine tails out behind him, and two little glowing yellow fires up behind him. On his head were black sunglasses, and across his chest was a black T-Shirt that said 'Moderator' in white letters. He wore matching black pants, and generally had a smile on his face.
"Got my name, huh?" she smiled at him, deciding that he probably had god-like powers in PHUK and to mind her manners. "I think I'm mainly looking for an MP3 Player," she said glancing around the store, "And perhaps Web Browser," she added.
"Well my little prospective Killing-Spree, we have plenty of those. They cost One Dollar each… to be billed to your account," he smiled. She blinked at what he called her. "I'm Moderator Red," he explained, "I haven't been watching you, but the Game keeps track. Do note that we expect the In-Game Authorities to handle your matter, and that you will never be refused service from a Moderator-Run Kiosk," he put his hands together and bowed slightly. "Though you may not hide here beyond the boundaries of the NPC's understanding for long as any of us Moderators would be required to remove you from our Kiosk, by force if necessary," he smiled. "Our Estimated Level is Fifteen Thousand and we have access to every power in the Game," he smiled.
"I didn't even know the Game went up to Level Fifteen Thou--"
"I doesn't," he smiled kindly, interrupting her.
"Ah," she said, nodding with a smile, wondering how one became a moderator.
"Here," he said, reaching to one side, off into the air, and pulling out two small devices. One had buttons on it like an MP3 Player with a small display for equalizer bars and showing what song would currently be playing. The other looked to be a newspaper but had open on it the PHUK forums in Firefox instead of regular print on the page.
"Nice," she smiled sweetly, "But I was thinking more like a Jet Set Radio headset and kind of a iPhone Interface for MP3, Web, and Phone."
He nodded, and slid over to her what looked like an iPhone, logo and all. "Whoa, it looks just like one. Isn't this Copy-written?" she asked, looking it over.
"As was the Smith & Wesson you used earlier, and the McDonalds in the Food Court," Red said with a smile and nod. "Those corporations fund The Kingdom for advertising much like how most of the cars you see on a show like 24 are all Fords for most seasons," he explained. "Different deals for each. For Apple, you buying this item costs more than getting a generic PHUK one because they get a little money off the top," Red explained.
"Little more?" she wondered, looking over it… merely holding it seem to have overrun her In-Game Menu and she could now few her Character Sheet and Skills by going into the CS Program and swiping left and right.
Red pulled up a little digital counter in front of him from under the desk and said, "You'll pay… this much," he smiled as the price of $5.00 appeared. Her eyes went a bit wide thinking that was a whole fourth of the monthly cost of the Game. "It unlocks on all your characters," he explained with a nod.
"I'll take it," she said with a smile, bowing her head, "Thank you, Moderator Red," she said with a grin, and turned to head out of the store.
"Anytime, little lady," he said as she exited the store.