Heavy Kevy | Stephen Hawking

Week Four
I have to be honest: The gaming isn't going well. Not only am I still unable to connect to the Internet (stupid plugs and ports and manuals - even Stephen Hawking couldn't figure this out), I also haven't beaten the computer in, oh, let's see now, ever. I've been playing on the second-easiest setting Madden offers, yet I still can't figure out how to defend the skinny post nor how to run the ball for more than a yard and a half without getting tackled. My offense is anemic, and my defense is worse. When I call and ask my friend Heavy Kevy, who's an avid gamer, what this means for my prospects of becoming a pro, he laughs at me - for a long time. Then he hangs up.


Week Five
I've enlisted Heavy. We play poker together, and I regularly clean him out, so he's all too happy to share some Madden pointers while completely throttling me. We spend hours "hitting the sticks," which is gamer lingo for "playing so much that you get calluses." After countless games and more lopsided losses than I can remember, I finally improve a little. In fact, on one fateful night, shortly before Heavy goes home, I lose by just one touchdown. For me, that's a victory. I dance in my living room as Heavy walks out.


Week Six