Spells-R-Us: ToRa-SRU-v1
By:  CK1

       14-year-old Larry Anderson walked around the mall, his blue book bag 
hanging over his left shoulder. He was a man with a mission.  School had been 
rough today, so he planned to burn off some pent-up energy with a brand-new 
video game.  And not just any game would do.  A quick stop at the ATM, and Larry 
was ready to pick up Tomb Raider III from his local Electronics Boutique.

       Larry was the best Tomb Raider player in his circle of friends, but he 
had been unable to get the game until now.  He loved adventuring, and hoped to 
be an explorer when he grew up.  Instead of basketball players and singers, 
Larry idolized Christopher Columbus and Vasco De Gama.  He'd seen "Raiders of 
the Lost Ark" over twenty-three times and pulled something new from it every 
time.  And Tomb Raider was his favorite game of all time.  A series of unlucky 
events had kept him and his beloved CD apart, but he'd now had the foresight to 
put one on reserve.  Earlier this afternoon, the call had come in that his copy 
of Tomb Raider III was in stock.

       Larry turned around a corner and was shocked to discover his beloved EB 
was missing.  In it's place was a small store with dark windows.  Over the 
narrow door, a small shingle hung with three simple words carved in white 
lettering: "SPELLS R US."

       Larry walked into the dimly-lit store, ready to demand answers.  The 
place was a mess, its floor piled high with all sorts of items.  And, for a 
store that was brand new, it already had a musty smell about it.  Boxes were 
strewn all over the store, like someone had just moved in.

       From the back of the store, brought by the tiny bell that rung when Larry 
entered, an old man wearing a long flowing robe appeared.  He was short, with 
slightly oriental features, wearing Benjamin Franklin-like glasses.

       "Didn't there used to be an EB here?", he asked the old man, brushing a 
handful of sandy-blonde hair from his eyes.

       "I believe.", The old man said, "but they've temporarily moved out.  
Perhaps I can help you."

       Larry was sure this place wouldn't have what he wanted.  This old guy 
didn't look like he could turn a computer on, much less know where Larry could 
get good games.

       "You're interested in computer games?", The old man asked.  Larry stared 
at him quizzically.

       "Yeah.  How did you know?"

       "A couple of kids have been in here today, and they all wanted computer 
games.  Except for one, who anted a new computer atlas.  But, most of the time, 
the game's the thing.", The old man mused.

       "Yeah.  I'm looking for Tomb Raider III.  The one with that chick, Lara 
Croft.", Larry asked.

       "Lara Croft?", the old wizard asked, feigning ignorance.

       "Yeah, she's in all the computer magazines.  She runs around and shoots 
villains and gathers artifacts. She's like a really hot Indiana Jones.", Larry 
said, pointing to an ad in one of his own computer gaming mags.

       "Ah, she's very . . . healthy, isn't she?", The old man said as he 
adjusted his glasses.

       "Yeah, that's part of what makes the game good.  I'd love to get a hold 
of a body like that, but girls aren't normally built like her, if you know what 
I mean."

       The old man smiled a crooked smile, then looked at Larry with shimmering 
eyes.

       "Tomb Raider.", The old man said, rubbing his scruffy chin.  "I do have 
something that might interest you.", He mumbled as he retreated into the back.

       Larry looked around the store.  There was everything here.  In one 
corner, he could see a cabinet filled with jewelry, silver rings, golden 
bracelets and platinum broaches.  Below that, a cabinet filled with goblets and 
trays made of various precious metals.  On a nearby table top, Larry saw a thick 
leather-bound book written in some bizarre language that appeared to be 
half-Greek and half-Japanese.

       In another corner, there was an old gas-pump, the kind with the big glass 
cylinder where the gas could be seen.  But, inside this one, there was a strange 
purple mist floating around inside the cylinder.  Larry moved his face close to 
the glass, but jumped back when the purple mist seemed to follow him around the 
cylinder.  It moved like a thing alive.

       "I wouldn't do that if I were you.", The old man said as he shuffled out 
of the back with a large box in his arms.  On the side, in very large lettering, 
was TOMB RAIDER, SPELLS-R-US VERSION 1.0.  A long umbilical cord hung from the 
top of the box, connected to a large helmet.

       "This isn't Tomb Raider III, but it's all I've got.  It's Tomb Raider I, 
but it's got . . . full sensory immersion technology," the old man squinted as 
he read the requirements on the side.  Larry looked over the contents of the 
box.  Inside was a CD, a virtual helmet, a pair of virtual gloves, and a 
splitter box where all the virtual equipment plugged into the computer.

       "How do I know all this stuff works?", Larry asked as he put all the 
equipment back in the box.

       "If it doesn't work, bring it back.  But, if I may make a suggestion, let 
your girlfriend play it first.  She'll love it."

       "Sure.", Larry said.   Jenny hated computer games, and she particularly 
hated Tomb Raider.  She'd launch off into a monologue about the objectification 
of women and how Lara was a symptom of a larger problem.  Besides, if this thing 
really worked, he was keeping it to himself.

       "How much for it?", Larry asked, pulling out his wallet.  The old man 
furrowed his brow, then asked for twenty dollars.

       Twenty?  Larry would have to take it now.  Even if the game didn't work, 
the equipment was worth a few thousand dollars.  And, if this old guy didn't 
realize that, then that was his problem.  Larry handed the old man twenty 
dollars, and took the heavy box in his arms.

       "Oh, one more thing, Larry.  Always remember to properly end your game 
session.  There have been problems with people who just abruptly come out of a 
game.", The old man said placed Larry's twenty in the register.  Larry nodded 
reflexively, leaving the store in a rush.

       Larry couldn't believe his luck.  He thought he was up-to-date on all the 
latest game tech, but something like this had come completely out of the blue.  
If this thing did half of what the pictures on the back of the box claimed, he 
had the coolest game ever.  And the system requirements were so low, it had to 
run great on his 400 MHz system.  His jaw dropped when he'd read that the 
minimum system required was a 33 MHz computer.

       Installing the software was a breeze, and attaching the virtual gear was 
easier than Larry could have dreamed.  Everything plugged into the splitter box, 
which linked directly into the computer's game port.  Slipping his hands into 
gloves, he felt tiny wire straps tighten around his fingers.  An electric tingle 
flowed across his palms as the two lights on the splitter marked "HANDS - 
ACTIVE" glowed blue.  Plugging in the helmet, the third light marked "HEAD - 
ACTIVE" glowed blue, and a fourth marked "VIRTUAL INTERFACE - ACTIVE" glowed 
green.

       Larry slid the helmet onto his head, locking the visor in place before 
his eyes.  The screen inside the visor flickered, and brought up a view of the 
Windows 98 desktop.  Larry reached out, moving his mouse to the new Tomb Raider 
SRU V.1 icon and double clicking on it.  A big dialogue box appeared in the 
center of the screen:

            Welcome to Tomb Raider - Spells-R-Us version 1.0 
Prepare to see the world through the eyes of legendary explorer, Lara Croft.
                        Do you wish to continue?
                                    
       "Of course I wish to continue," Larry said, clicking on the Yes button.  
The screen went black, and Larry could feel the visor pulling closer to his 
face.  The helmet fit like a glove as a series of metallic straps tightened 
around his skull.  Larry's entire body felt warm and tingly as the opening 
cinema of Tomb Raider began playing. It was incredible!  The graphics were so 
crisp and so clear that they didn't seem to be computer generated, even by the 
best 3D card.

       When the actual game began, Larry saw this version of the game was in 
first person.  Larry looked around, admiring the incredible graphic detail of 
the environment.  The stalagmites dripped melted snow, with every sound echoing 
in full 3D.  Larry could even feel the cold winter air brushing against his 
face.

       Taking a step forward, Larry could actually feel Lara's body shifting and 
moving.  Given Lara's physique, there was a large amount of movement, 
particularly in her chest.  Her ample bosom shifted from left to right as he 
walked down the first snow-covered corridor.  He could feel the gun in his hand, 
it's cold metal pressing into his palm.  This was unbelievable!

       Walking up to the first obstacle, Larry bolted through the barrage of 
arrows fired from the walls.  It was a close shave, as Larry felt one of the 
arrows blow by his back.  Turning right, he climbed and dove over ice-flows and 
rocky outcroppings.  Over a rock wall, he could hear the scurrying of ravenous 
wolves.

       Hopping down, Larry aimed the gun and fired.  The kick threw his hands 
back, but the bullet found its mark, spraying the wolf's blood across the floor. 
 A second shot dropped the other wolf, and Larry watched the pool of blood 
slowly spread out beneath the fallen beast.

       Continuing his game, Larry couldn't believe the detail level of this 
thing.  And it only cost him $20!  Not only did he feel every movement of Lara's 
body, but the graphics were frighteningly realistic.  These images in front of 
him made photographs look impressionist.

       Larry played for nearly an hour before he could hear the grandfather 
clock down the hall chime six.  He had to go and meet Jenny at the mall, so 
unfortunately he'd needed to quit.  Reaching out toward the mouse, he saw Lara's 
arm reach up in the game and press a small button on the cave wall.  The wall 
slid open, revealing an options screen.

       Among the numerous options, from sound volume to gamma correction, Larry 
couldn't find the Quit button.  Reaching out, he found the keyboard and pressed 
Alt-F4.  Nothing, and the helmet wouldn't come loose without shutting down the 
game.  In a momentary lapse of memory, Larry felt around the tower, finding the 
power switch and shutting it down.

       The screen flashed a psychedelic flood of colors, then went black and the 
helmet's locking mechanism clicked open.  Lifting the visor, Larry pulled the 
helmet off.  A long brown ponytail fell from the back of the helmet, cascading 
down Larry's back.

       Larry knew what had happened before he got to the full-length mirror 
inside his closet.  He could feel the breasts, the long legs and the ponytail 
swishing behind him.  Throwing open the door, Larry felt his knees buckle as he 
caught sight of his reflection.

       In the mirror, Larry saw the woman Lara Croft would be if she were real.  
She was in her early twenties, with long auburn hair, tied into a ponytail, and 
big brown eyes.  She was dressed in a tight white tank top, tan khaki shorts and 
a pair of brown hiking boots.

       "Oh my god.", The woman said with a rich British accent.

       Larry raised a dainty hand to his head, feeling the silken skin that 
covered him.  His face was round and pretty, with sculpted cheekbones and a 
strong jaw.  Loose strands of brown hair fell into his face, tickling his neck 
and shoulders.  Looking down at himself, he felt like he'd gained some height.  
Everything looked slightly smaller from within this 5' 9" body.

       Pulling his T-shirt off, Larry stared at the enormous mounds that rode 
high on his chest.  His breasts were large, but not the grossly exaggerated tits 
that the video game portrayed.  Whether he knew it or not, he now sported a 
healthy pair of 34DD breasts, with rosy pink nipples.  Rubbing one of them with 
a finger, he felt it grow harder as his groin grew wetter.

       Dropping his shorts to the floor, he was surprised to discover that Lara 
Croft went sans underwear.  His new genitalia were clean-shaven and moist, a 
slick slit between his long, sexy legs.  Slipping out of the boots, he stood 
completely naked in front of the mirror.

       "This has got to be a dream.", he said in a breathy, British voice.  
Pinching himself on the nipple, he immediately was shocked back to the reality 
that he was indeed the walking, talking personification of Lara Croft.

       Slumping to the floor in shock, Larry felt Lara's ample posterior break 
his fall.  He tried desperately to keep his head about him.  He was a logical 
person.  How did this happen ?   In the middle of his meditations, he was 
embarrassed to find his hand subconsciously stroking his breast.  He then 
glanced over and saw the helmet.

       Larry thought for a second, then tried activating the game again, and 
disengaging it properly.  This time, he searched the options screen, finding the 
Quit button located on the backside of the wall's sliding door. Pressing the 
door, Larry felt the warm sensation the game generated stop, and removed the 
helmet.

       No such luck.  Larry was still wearing Lara's sexy skin.  In a fit of 
anger, Larry tossed the helmet to the floor, cracking it down the center.  The 
helmet sizzled loudly, as a small puff of smoke belched from the unit.

       Larry fell to his knees, taking the helmet in his arms.  It was totally 
finished, with circuitry exposed and a horrible smell of arcing metal hanging in 
the air.  Dropping the helmet, Larry rested his head in his hands, fighting back 
the tears.  Through the corner of his eye, he saw a small sticker on the side of 
the box.

       "In the event of system failure, return to Spells-R-Us for a full 
refund."

       Throwing on a jacket, Larry found it impossible to zip it up.  His 
breasts jiggled wildly as he made his way downtown to the shopping center.  
Larry ran through the mall, thanking God when he saw the store was still open.  
Rushing through the door, Larry saw the old man sitting behind the counter, 
fiddling with a big glass jar filled with what looked to be fireflies.  Tossing 
the box on the counter, Larry stared down at the old man.

       "Hello, Larry.", The old man said, not bothering to look up from his jar.

       "What the hell happened to me?", Larry asked.  The old man smiled at the 
sound of that beautiful British accent trying to curse.  Cursing never sounded 
right from anyone but an American.

       "You didn't turn the unit off properly.", The old man said, setting the 
jar aside.  "In order for the proper sensory immersion to take place, you've got 
to be in the body of Lara Croft.  And, if you'd shut the unit down correctly, 
you'd be back in your own adolescent body."

       "I tried that, but it didn't work.", Larry protested.

       Fishing through the box, the old man produced the instruction book.  He 
turned to page 66, paragraph 6, and pointed to the eighth line.  Larry read how 
if you get stuck in the immersion form, there is a simple procedure to follow 
that will restore your own body.

       "I'm sorry.", Larry said, calming down.  "Do you have another unit so I 
can get my body back?"  The old man shook his head sadly.

       "That was my last one, and I don't know when I'll get another one.  
They're rare."

       "But  . . . ," Larry said, stammering as the gravity of his situation set 
in.

       "I'm sorry, Larry.  All I can give you is this.", The old man said as he 
handed Larry a fresh twenty dollar bill.

       "But . . . what do I do now?", Larry pleaded, his big brown eyes filling 
with tears.

       "Well,  . . . ," the old man started, then stopped as if the idea was too 
absurd to say.

       "What is it?", Larry asked, desperate for any answer.

       "Well, I have this job requiring the procurer of . . . unique objects.  
But, it would require a lot of travel, and there are a lot of items to be 
retrieved.  Who knows, one of them may be able to restore you to your former 
body."

       "So, I'd get to go around the world, and gather up priceless artifacts 
like in the video game.", The tall woman said, seeming much less distraught than 
she had a few seconds before.

       "I think you'll find things in the real world can be much more exciting 
than any video game.  And, the artifacts you've seen in your video games are 
petty trinkets compared to the treasures you'll see working for me. But, you 
will sometimes be required to do some feats of daring-do in pursuit of your 
query."

       Larry thought it over for a moment, and smiled brightly.  He'd always 
wanted to be an adventurer, an explorer, and this was giving him the perfect 
opportunity.  Sure, he'd lost his manhood, but sometimes you have to make 
sacrifices to get what you want.  He extended his hand, shaking with the old man 
on their agreement.

       "I knew you'd see things my way.", The old man said as he produced a 
piece of paper and a small blue booklet from under the counter top.  It was an 
itinerary, and a passport.

       "Your first assignment, Laurie, is to retrieve this platinum dragon 
statue from a former colleague of mine.  I need it back here within a month.  A 
very particular client requires it's specialized powers.  There is a ticket 
waiting for you at the airport, as well as money for expenses.", The old man 
said sternly.

       Opening the British passport, Larry felt a strange tingling run 
throughout his body.  Looking down, he found himself now dressed in a stylish 
charcoal-gray business suit and high-heels.  Inside the passport, Larry found 
his picture and the name "Laurie Croft."  He skimmed the itinerary, which 
involved trips to Rio de Janeiro, Madagascar and Paris.

       Laurie smiled brightly.  "You can count on me, sir.", She said, saluting 
the old man.  The old man smiled as well.  He knew that Laurie would come to 
love her new body, and discover that a pretty face and a bombshell body can be 
more effective than a weapon when used properly.

       She should be an excellent investment, the old man thought as he watched 
the svelte young woman skip from the store, ready to embark on her first 
adventure.  The first adventure of many, if she proved skilled enough.

       "And if she isn't, there's always some other lucky teen.  She's not the 
first, and she won't be the last.", The old man muttered to himself as the 
magically restored Tomb Raider Virtual Gear levitated off of the counter and 
floated to the top shelf of a nearby cabinet.