EPTThis went on for a little while, but I could see that things weren't going well. My boss was always stressed. He was struggling to make ends meet and to keep us afloat. I wasn't paid for several months, but I did my best to keep my spirits up and hope for the best. After a while though it seemed that there was no light at the end of this tunnel, only more darkness.
One day I was approached by my boss and he told me to do the unthinkable. I simply couldn't believe that a man like him could bring himself to ask that of me. But I had seen how he struggled, had seen the desperation in his eyes. That desperation was mirrored in my own heart as I weighed my options. It will just be this once, I thought. If I do it we'll have enough money to go back to the way things were before, at least for a little while. Maybe by the time that runs out things will be better.
I caved. I didn't want to but I did as my boss asked. My worst fears were realized when many people realized something was wrong right away. When the accusations flooded in I categorically denied them, what else could I do? I felt dirty, but I promised myself I would never stoop to that level again. I would do my best, and with the money we had now perhaps we could secure ourselves a brighter future.
I should have known that could never be the case. It wasn't long before he asked again. I tried to refuse, but if I did they would reveal me for what I was. A fraud. A cheat. A liar. I was all of these things, but I didn't want to be. I didn't want my friends and family to think of me that way, I wanted to change, to become a true champion again. My options were to cower behind my shield or fall on my sword, and I was a coward.
The cycle continued and I couldn't break out. The walls closed in around us. We knew it was only a matter of time before we were caught and exposed. I thought back on my career and realized that everything I had accomplished was now tarnished beyond restoration. Not only was my future gone, but my past as well. I once was a competitor now I am a criminal. I once was a champion now I am an outcast. My name was once Yoda, but now my name is mud.
+ Show Spoiler +
Sometimes I like playing devil's advocate. Just a little something I thought up while reading a lot of the comments about the recent investigation and I decided to spend twenty minutes and write this out. Designed to make you think, not to forgive and certainly not to forget.
Obvious disclaimer: I don't know anything more than you do. I filled in A LOT of blanks here. What we do know is that Prime players were not paid several months prior to the match fixing, and that Yoda WAS blackmailed into match fixing after the first time.
Disclaimer part 2: I don't have absolute sympathy for the players but I do have some. This blog is obviously very sympathetic towards Yoda but that's primarily to remind people who are calling him a scumbag that not everything is black and white.
Obvious disclaimer: I don't know anything more than you do. I filled in A LOT of blanks here. What we do know is that Prime players were not paid several months prior to the match fixing, and that Yoda WAS blackmailed into match fixing after the first time.
Disclaimer part 2: I don't have absolute sympathy for the players but I do have some. This blog is obviously very sympathetic towards Yoda but that's primarily to remind people who are calling him a scumbag that not everything is black and white.
