Meg's virtual flower patch is artfully color-coordinated and arranged in an attractive geometric design to emphasize its similarity to real growing operations.

Yahoo apparently thinks there are some computer gamers out there fantasizing about life as a florist. They've added to their list of downloadable computer games (which includes "Enemy Territory," "Heavenly Sword" and "Super Smash Bros. Brawl") "Flower Shop: Big City Break," where users get to control how successful the main character, "Meg," will be in her newest business venture and ultimately achieve total world floral domination.

After airing her frustration with her shop at the corner of 'hustle and bustle' street in some unnamed downtown Metropolis, Meg sits down on a bench, opens up the newspaper to read the advertisement: "Escape the Big City -- Quaint Flower Shop for Sale on Sunshine Isle."

Meg packs up shop and leaves the whizzing taxi cabs behind to discover a world of opportunity on the advertised tropical island. The gamer's job is to aid Meg in developing her retail florist locations all over the large island. They must follow specific guidelines and help Meg plant flower seeds; watch them grow; scoop up the flowers; design an arrangement; charge the customer a certain amount; deliver the package; and, most importantly, get the money. Meg gets new items for her store, such as a new store counter, so she can serve two customers simultaneously, based on how speedy orders are created for the customer.

Sounds like real life, right?

--Cassandra P. Foster
cfoster@safnow.org

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