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[caption id="attachment_2699" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jennie from the Block (who now thinks she&#39;s Shania Twain) and Me (apparently a Dominatrix in the Gaming World)"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC130178.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2699 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC130178-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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<p>When I joined my company 2.5 years ago, I listened to tales of the many "perks" of our corporate culture.  The most mysterious of these perks was a "game room" on the 3rd floor which everyone had heard about, but no one had ever seen.  </p>

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<p>Did it actually exist?  Or was it an Urban Corporation Legend?</p>

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<p>On Day 79, I launched a MythBuster mission.  I enlisted the services and video gaming expertise of my colleague, Jennifer (aka Jennie from the Block). </p>

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<p>We aimlessly wandered around the 3rd floor looking for a den-like setting.  No luck.</p>

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<p>Since Jennifer is younger than me and shares the name of my sister, I am comfortable bossing her around.  Since I am older than her and share the name of her sister, she is ok with this. </p>

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<p>I "suggested" that Jennifer knock on the locked door (it's like Fort Knox around here!) of the helpful techie guys who always come to the rescue when I think I have a computer emergency but it's only something I've done to screw everything up.  These are extraordinarily patient men. </p>

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<p>Knock.  Knock. </p>

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<p><strong>Helpful &amp; Patient Computer Genius:</strong>  How can we help you? </p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  We heard there is a gaming room on the 3rd floor, and we'd like to check it out. </p>

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<p><strong>(Not-So-)Helpful &amp; Patient Computer Genius:</strong>  <em>&lt;blank stare&gt;</em></p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  We've heard about this gaming room since we were hired here, but no one seems to know where it is. </p>

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<p><strong>Helpful &amp; Patient Computer Genius #2:</strong>  Yeah, they moved it recently.  But it's locked and you need a key to get in. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  <em>&lt;to myself&gt; </em> <em>Of course, we need a key to get in!  It's freakin' Fort Knox around here! </em></p>

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<p><strong>(Uber-)Helpful &amp; Patient Computer Genius #2:  <em>&lt;</em></strong><em>showing us a map<strong>&gt;</strong>  </em>Go down this row of cubicles and make a left.  Then go down another row of cubicles and make a right.  You can either go to the 3rd cubicle on the left or the 5th cubicle on the right and ask for the key. </p>

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<p>May the force be with us.  Thankfully, Jennie from the Block knows her way around the<span style="text-decoration: line-through;"> block</span> cubicle jungle and led us to The Keeper of the Key. </p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  Hi.  We were told that you have the key to the gaming room. </p>

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<p><strong>Keeper of the Key:</strong>  HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT<em> THAT</em> ROOM? </p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  <em>&lt;gingerly&gt;</em>  We were told in our hiring interviews <em>(I don't remember this but good one, Jen!) </em>that there was a video gaming room for employees.  It was sold to us as one of the perks of our culture.  <em>(Brilliant, Jen!  Brilliant!!!)  </em></p>

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<p><strong>Keeper of the Key:</strong>  I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU KNOW ABOUT <em>THAT</em> ROOM!!! </p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  We learned about it in our initial interviews. </p>

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<p><strong>Keeper of the Key:</strong>  <em>That </em>room is used by our tech support guys to wind down and relax. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong> <em> &lt;to myself&gt;</em>  <em>And what about the sales force that funds that bloody game room???  Hand over the key, buddy!!!! </em></p>

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<p><strong>Jennifer:</strong>  We were led to believe that it was for all to enjoy. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  <em>&lt;blank smile&gt;  </em></p>

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<p><strong>Keeper of the Key:</strong> <em> </em>I guess I have to let you in then.  I don't understand how you heard about it.  It's only known around tech support. </p>

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<p><strong>Me:</strong>  It will be our dirty little secret then. <em> &lt;to myself&gt;  Eeeewwwww.  Why on EARTH did you say that?!?! </em><br class="spacer_" /> </p>

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<p><span style="color: #008000;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><strong>SUCCESS!!!  <br class="spacer_" /></strong></span></span></p>

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<p><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC130180.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-2700" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/PC130180-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a></p>