“If it’s anything like Jumanji, I’m not going to enjoy this,” you joke, taking out the board. “I know, it’s ridiculous,” they say, charming green eyes glowing with fun, “but I like to play boardgames on all my first dates. It gives me incredible insight into a person to see them play Chutes & Ladders or whatever.” “Well, I love to play,” you say, flirtatious look, wry smile. You grab one of the ginger-people pieces. “It’s been a while since anyone’s dusted off the Candyland, though.” You look nostalgically at the box. Who doesn’t love candy? And, here's a whole LAND of it! “It’s like riding a bike, you’ll remember.” “Everyone says that, but not everything can be like riding a bike.” “Fair enough. This will be more like playing a children’s board game in your 30s.” “You first, then,” you say, mockingly. “It’s age before beauty, of course.” Snorting, they draw a card. It’s a double orange, and the gingerperson piece is off, clicking down the path towards the Gingerbread Tree. You reach to draw a card, but the world upends, and somehow you lose your balance while sitting on a couch? Falling forward, you put an arm down to steady yourself, but the dark wooden stain of the coffee table just melts under the weight and warmth of your hand, and you begin to slide into the board. Slide into the board? How is that possible? You wonder as you pitch forward, fully falling through the frame of the cardboard game and onto warm, mint-icing grass. The air smells like sunlit sugar, and there is a distinct glitter glaze reflecting from each frosted-tip blade. “You’ve got to be kidding,” you mutter, running your fingers across a patch and inspecting it, closely. Slight mint smell, sugared mint taste, and an oily residue on the palette. This was a buttercream for sure. You contemplate eating grass for the first time in three decades, but decide against it, and instead go explore a bit. You’re a bit curious about what the trees are made of. Oh, and what happened to your hot date? Are they here, too? Maybe you should have a look around this place, you know, for science... Where do you go first?
