It was an age-old story with a 21st Century twist. Cruck Enterprises, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had been eyeing a swath of land in southeast Virginia, located between Highway 460 and the James River. Their angle? Clearly, to move an arm of their mega-corporation to this area, set up an industrial “shop” complete with a factories, sub-standard row “suburban” housing for its workers, and its own brand of “super stores”. The problem? Factory workers would be imported from “up north” and also ripped off from the existing industries in Hopewell, the super stores would close down the Mom and Pop businesses, so well-protected in this idyllic setting, the rich farmland along the river would be swept up by the conglomerate for pennies on the dollar, driving the locals to poverty and relocation, and the stench and pollution from the factories (their products still a mystery to the locals) would drive the remaining residents and all wildlife far from their homeland.
Communities surrounding this hotly debated area, especially the small, serene towns of Burrowsville, Cabin Point and Spring Grove shook in fear as the corporate giant prepared to descend upon its victims. But the citizens of Hopewell took a more defensive stance. Its large expanse of businesses and industries was more threatened by the hostile vulture, Cruck Enterprises, as was its very way of life. The surrounding farmers and residents depended on Hopewell for all means of sustenance—food, goods, and services. Workers already employed in its businesses and industries would first be lured by Cruck at a much higher rate of pay; then when the existing Hopewell businesses and industries shut their doors for the last time, workers’ pay would be severely cut—almost in half (it was the Cruck way of doing business). If Cruck had its way, Hopewell would become a ghost town, and its tree-lined streets, age-old brick buildings and all business and industries would be leveled to the ground only to be replaced by Cruck’s factories, megastores and pasteboard factory housing.
The people of Hopewell led the way in organizing all residents of the area. In a clandestine town meeting, set in the gymnasium of Hopewell High School, thousands gathered, determined at last to take a stand against Cruck Enterprises. But the stand became more than a refusal to sell out. Area residents knew that, already, local politicians were in Cruck’s hip pocket. Refusal to sell out to Cruck was futile—rezoning could easily force residents from their businesses, homes and lands. No, this stand took a more dramatic turn, and every citizen at that turning-point meeting knew what must be done. A resounding call could be heard for miles and counties around. The call? A call to arms. A call to “fight to the finish”. A call to force the Northerners back to their own yard, and far, far away from the backyard of every Virginia resident.
End Story & Outcome
It couldn’t have been better weather. A perfect, warm spring day greeted players who were attending the BlackCat Paintball Productions’ 24-hour scenario game at Splatzone (The Store) and Field in Hopewell, Virginia: “Clash at the Mason-Dixon”. This scenario, a modern-day “civil war”, pitted the citizens of Hopewell, Virginia, against a northern corporate giant, Cruck Enterprises. Intent upon exploiting not only the citizens of the area, but also the land and economy of Hopewell, Cruck began working to “set up shop” in this small community:
Cruck Enterprises, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had been eyeing a swath of land in southeast Virginia. . . their goal was to move an arm of their mega-corporation to this area and set up factories, row “suburban” housing for its workers and its own brand of “super stores”. Factory workers would be imported from “up north” and also ripped off from the existing industries in Hopewell. The super stores would close down the Mom and Pop businesses, the rich farmland along the river would be swept up by Cruck for pennies on the dollar (driving the locals to poverty and relocation), and the stench from the pollution from the factories would drive the remaining residents and all wildlife far from their homeland.
Although most communities surrounding this area shook in fear as the corporate giant prepared to descent upon its victims, the citizens of Hopewell took a more defensive stance. Leading the way in organizing all residents of the area, they arranged a clandestine town meeting where thousands gathered and rallied all to stand up against Cruck. However, this “stand” became more than a refusal to sell out. Area residents knew that, already, local politicians were in Cruck’s hip pocket, and thus this stand took a more dramatic turn. It became a call to arms—a call to “fight to the finish”—a call to force the Northerners back to their own yard, and far, far away from the backyard of every Virginia resident.
As in all BlackCat paintball scenario games, the event began on Friday night with the traditional player barbeque, hosted by BlackCat Productions for every preregistered player. Players spent the evening picking up player packets, getting acquainted with each other and the BlackCat staff, as BlackCat himself, Spiro Mamaligas, aided by field owners/partners Edgar Houser and Jimmy Cofer, flipped burgers and hotdogs, while swapping “war stories” and scenario tips. Finally, the last burger was downed, the huge bonfire slowed to glowing coals, and the players retired to their campsites to rest and prepare for the beginning of their scenario experience the following morning.
Another sunny, warm day awaited players as they woke to “scenario day”. Even the few, hazy clouds in the distance, signaling the chance of afternoon rain, couldn’t damped the enthusiasm sparking through the morning air. The popping of paintball markers at the chrono stations, the hissing of escaped air, and the rattle of paintballs pouring into pods and hoppers rounded out this scene as the readying for the event continued. The morning sped before everyone’s eyes, and the first player briefing of the event was almost instantly upon the crowd. As in all BlackCat games, Spiro once again perched atop his production trailer and proceeded with the details and rules for this event. And then—as swiftly as it all began—the air horn from the production trailer sounded and “game on” was a reality for each exuberant player.
The first mission—to gather at their respective bases, meet with their generals, get armband tape, and organize for upcoming missions was every players’ charge. This was accomplished quickly, and the more combative missions soon began pouring over the radios to the commanding generals. Leading Cruck Enterprises was the C.E.O. himself, E. Lazlo Cruck (played by Joe Vilar and his XO, Neil Harvey), and leading the Citizens of Hopewell was Mayor Jim Reynolds (played by Kornell “Trapper” Davis) with his XO, Kerry Spinks. It was
a battle for turf, a defending of bases and a recon of key field points that kept the players
raining paint on each other for the first hours of the event.
The final battle before the dinner break was quite a paint-slinging showdown between Cruck Enterprises and The Citizens of Hopewell. Battled at the “small” speedball field, the fight was to determine the owner of the makings for the satellite station (a satchel complete with laptop computer, radar and cable connection). In BlackCat scenario games, a satellite station serves two functions: it gives the owner/army an alternative insertion point and it also gives the opportunity to recon and record, via camcorder, a chosen area on the field. It seemed that the fireworks signaling the beginning of the clash coincided with the rush of players toward the central bunker and the satellite station satchel. It wasn’t long before the Hopewell citizens had control of the bunker—and the prop—but the Cruck army wouldn’t concede. Holding on to their real estate to the very end, they rained paint and returned fire on the opposition, but the Hopewell forces kept them bunkered down at their base until the air horn blew, signifying the end of the battle and the beginning of dinner break.
The darkening trails and secluded sections of the field after dinner provided a whole new paintball experience for the players. Players moved around the field more carefully now as
they attempted to complete missions that continued to pour in to the general’s bases. It was once again an exchange of mission completion and mission failure that dominated the play of the night. A rain of fireworks often lighted up the night sky over the dark field, but players were
still required to pick their way around bushes, trees and trails in an attempt to earn additional points for their team. But soon, it became a more-than-tiring venture for both Cruck Enterprises players and the Citizens of Hopewell, and late into the night both Generals agreed
to a stand-down; their players needed rest and rejuvenation so that they could begin the next day’s play with a renewed vengeance.
Sunday morning . . . ah, the paintball gods were not nearly so kind. The clouds loomed overhead, daring to break loose into a torrential downpour, and players gathered ‘round the roaring fire pit sparking with the first bonfire of the day. But the weather was not reflective of the spirit of each paintball player. Players from the Hopewell army were surveying the deeds to their land holdings, toying with the idea of selling out to Cruck since rumor had it that Cruck
and his devious cronies were in the process of accessing the millions hidden in Cruck’s Swiss bank account. And one of the darker Cruck associates (played by field owner Edgar Cofer) was busy setting up “Redneck Realty” in hopes of luring money-hungry landowners into his web.
A quick morning briefing by Spiro, complete with a re-reading of the story recharged each player and set them into motion. Quick chronoing and a hop to respective bases had players energized and ready for action. The action began at once! Determined to begin morning play at high speed and take quick advantage, the Cruck General immediately sent a successful air strike to the enemy base. Not to be outwitted, the Hopewell General accessed, through his computer “hacker”, Cruck’s Swiss bank account number, determined to wipe it clean and revitalized his community. Ah—but Cruck was again one step ahead and all but wiped out the account before Mayor Reynolds had a chance to access Cruck’s millions.
More air strikes, a satellite viewing by the Hopewell General, taking and holding of key areas, and firefights everywhere dominated the remainder of the morning. As the rain now poured as quickly as the paintballs, players trudged, ran and gunned, intent upon gaining the advantage prior to “final battle”. What didn’t occur was a sell-out to Cruck by all of the landowners. Two in particular, played by Michael Johnson and Ivey Stowe, stood firm in their convictions
to refuse the thousands offered by Cruck, citing principles as a force more important than dollars.
The rain intensified, as did the conflict. While the temperatures on the outside dropped, the pulse of the players increased, culminating in a game call, as the rain became torrents. But that didn’t stop the Player Awards Ceremony and the Prize Give-Away. As players gathered
under the creaking timbers of the “old barn”, Spiro and the BlackCat crew honored the
players for their sportsmanship, outstanding paintball play and team effort. Spiro began by teasing the players with the final score, but it finally came out that even though Cruck Enterprises earned a total of 195 points, the Citizens of Hopewell reined victorious with a
total score of 246 points!
Player awards soon followed. Joe Vilar, Cruck General, announced that the most valuable player for his team was Elvis Selman and the Most Valuable Sportsmanship award was earned by his XO, Neil Harvey. His Most Valuable Team was “Team No-Name” (David Girrard and David Logwood). “Trapper” Davis then announced his winners for the Citizens of Hopewell team: Mike Johnson was his Most Valuable Player, Jacob Ellington was his Most Valuable Sportsman and “The Burrowsville Boyz” (names go here) was his Most Valuable Team. Players applauded all that were awarded and also applauded each other for a stand-up paintball event.