Harrowed Halls

Last night’s game night was called off due to Mike’s work going nuclear. Then we found out that Ben doesn’t read his email. He showed up at Owen’s ready to take them both to gaming. Calls were made and a plan decided upon. We would meet at my house and play Railroad Tycoon: Railways of England and Wales. I let Mike know what was going on, just in case. Turns out he could make it after all, so game night was saved and all of us got to play.

Owen and Ben both started building their railways in the north. Mike started in the north too, then moved to the west, then changed to the northwest, then realized his tracks weren’t connected properly. Ben, Owen, and Mike all took advantage of Delivery Service Bounties. That gave them all an early lead over me. I built my railways around London. I did this mostly because I could earn 8 points at the end of the game from my Tycoon card. It turned out to be a good investment throughout the game.

I was pretty much alone in the south, except for a few rail lines owned by Mike. Ben and Owen filled the north with so many railroads that it became a jumbled, twisted mass of writhing tracks. As the game wound down, Owen had the lead with Ben and me fighting for second place. Owen did win, but it was close. Ben’s seemingly endless supply of 5 and 6 deliveries, along with my excessive seven shares, allowed him to take second place. Mike and I ended in last and next to last place, just like last game. Only this time, Mike was so far in last place that I’m not even sure he played the same game as us.

Ok, that last statement was a little cruel. I mean, Mike spent all day on business calls, some having over a hundred people on them. As business fires blazed around him, he fought them dutifully and bravely all day. He deserves better than to be stabbed in the back by some callous THIRD PLACE finisher. Sure that THIRD PLACE finisher was like 50 points ahead of him, but that doesn’t matter. Mike showing up and playing, that’s what’s important here. So I want that…uh…what was I talking about? Well, I’m sure it’s wasn’t important. Looking forward to next time!

Chaos Steve