The Infamous Sharlene
The Laser Tag crew - L to RLauren, Joe, Dan, Noelle, Shelly
Jim and Sharlene
Raise your hands if you can honestly admit (or just admit) that you have been to laser tag before? Not many hands I see. My limited knowledge of this (do I call it a sport?) thing, has always conjured up images of techno geek star trek wannabes running around blasting away at each other giggling wildly like school girls. That is, however, until I had the chance to enter this realm this past weekend. Shelly and I joined our friends, Jim, Sharlene, Lauren, Dan and Noelle to play laser tag at the Kings Quest Laser Tag in Berlin CT. Anytime there is some sort of quirky adventure you can bet Sharlene is behind it. Sharlene works with Shelly and since I met her I have been to Laser Tag, mechanical bull riding and last but not least Rolloer Skating. Yes, Roller skating. Remember WAY back in the 80's when we kept our comb poking out of our back pcoket and our hair was feathered? Shalene has an appetite for the unique and loves a challenge. That being said we all met at the place after work. When Shelly and I arrived we checked out the surroundings and wondered how the whole thing worked. The rest of the crew arrived shortly and we paid our admission. Once the admission was paid we were led into a room that was not unlike a ride at Disney. You know where you go into a dark room that starts to sent the scene for the ride you are about to take. Here though, we were in the room to get directions for playing laser tag. It told us how to put on our laser tag vest and how to gain points by shooting your opponent. Everyone agreed the only reason we were here was to shoot Jim. Jim just has this look about him that makes you want to take him out. Ha ha ha! After the video we were told to put on our laser vests and shown how to operate the gun. This was all fun and games but to me I could feel my competitive juices flowing. My gun identified me as "Black Hawk" I suddenly envisioned myself as a mercenary who wouldn't be taken without a fight. Once the doors opened we all ran off wildly into the dark and soon were faced with maze like corridors, stairs and obstacles to hide behind. The room was filled with blinking lights, smoke and a criss cross of red lasers everywhere. I surveyed my environment and soon made my way to a bunker to take up my position. Through the smoke I noticed someone in the corner behind a wall. I crept up slowly and slid along the opposite wall to get a better shot. As I aimed my gun I could make out that it was Shelly. Our eyes locked as I peppered her with my laser and soon her vest was blinking wildly indicating she was hit. Proud of myself I scurried away smugly. The game continued with each of us darting into the line of fire and running up and down stairways to avoid the inevitable laser shots. In all the excitement poor Sharlene took a header onto the floor while trying to escape. While she was lying on the floor I did what every gentleman would have done. I shot her repeatedly to pad my own score then ran away and hid. Each of us had our moments ..Noelle was mostly a walking target, Dan played sniper from the crows nest on the upper level, Jim shot people in the back and Shelly refused to move from her perch behind the wall. Tired and beaten up a little we then headed to Shea's in Manchester for a few coldies to rehash our adventure. Shelly and I had a great time and couldn't remember the last time we stayed out that late. We both secretly admitted we enjoyed laser tag and I'm considering wearing a laser tag vest as part of my regular wardrobe. If you ever get the chance to go play "tag" jump on the opportunity. If nothing else, you will have a chance to let all your worries go and just have fun.
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