I think the idea was that I would become the Top Secret Administrator because my two friends were running D&D and Traveller. I didn't even own Top Secret, had to borrow it from one of them.
There were four(?) players. We were at my friend's house.
I remember a vague sense of not knowing what a game was supposed to look like. I wasn't exactly steeped in James Bond movies. But there was a module. With a location. It assumed a stealthy approach. I remember reading it and rereading it with a bit of anxiety because I did know I would have to be prepared for whatever entrance they might attempt. And I have a vague recollection of worrying about the locks, I probably wanted to be ready for when they tried to pick a lock to gain entrance.
The first thing the PCs did was ram their van full speed into the front door.
I was filled with dread. I had no idea what to do. I awkwardly said something along the lines of "this is boring, let's go outside." They wanted to keep playing but I was insistent. "Nah, I don't feel like playing this right now."
I don't think I even tried to run a game for another 10 years.
It reminds me of a time when I was DMing a Cyberpunk 2020 game at the age of about 13; for some reason I thought up a Lassie-esque scenario in which a dog would come up to the players and attract their attention and get them to follow it. As soon as I dreamed it up I realised it was the worst idea ever but it was too late - I'd spoken the words. After about five minutes I said, "Let's forget about the dog thing!" and started all over again.
ReplyDeleteAt least you started over again. Maybe a flipper-esque, talking dolphin scenario would have worked better ;) Thanks for sharing, sir.
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