Tonight a security guard accosted us again as we played Magic in the food court of the mall.  We had ordered food and the place wasn't bustling so there really wasn't any reason for us to be told to leave.  I explained the situation to the guard who was flustered because he really couldn't defend himself since we were paying customers.

     Years ago, I wrote an article that resonated with a lot of Magic players about how the distributor of this game needs to do a better job of marketing it as something respectable.  By linking with well-known companies and rubbing elbows with mall owners perhaps Magic will be seen for what it is: a highly intellectual affair.  However, nothing has happened over the years and while the situation isn't worse, nor is it ideal for the growing community of players who want nothing more than to do their thing without being harassed by security guards on a power trip.

     I don't know what the distributor will do but I know that I can't rely on him/her for things to change.  I must win over the mall owners and the public who see us as in a highly negative light.  More importantly, my playgroup and the larger community must behave better so that we don't get lumped with the criminals and the lowlifes scattered around a mall.

     Magic is harder than poker and chess put together while paying its brightest practitioners less.  It needs to be portrayed as such and champions are needed for this gargantuan task.  I hope this article will wake the players' consciousness so that we can work together to bring respectability to the game we all love dearly.