‘“If that’s your real picture, you’re probably sick to death of blokes messaging you.” And Rachel told me about another guy, who she suspected was Zoltan under a different name, who came on to Zoe Haigh on Twitter, saying he’d defended her against another man who was harassing her and then expecting Zoe to sleep with him out of gratitude, or something.
‘Well, a guy called Max did exactly the same thing to me on Twitter. He said, “This isn’t a sleazy pick-up ploy, just wanted to tell you that guy was out of order and I’ve reported him.” But I came across Max again yesterday when I was looking through all those tweets, researching Rachel, and he’s definitely no Sir Galahad. He was one of the people harassing Edie – in fact, he was the originator of the rumour she’d been a sex worker.
‘And,’ Robin continued, ‘Rachel told me Zoltan once told her he’d had to drive a sick dog to the vet. Didn’t you tell me Anomie told Kea Niven he had to drive a—’
‘—sick cat to the vet, yeah,’ said Strike, now thoroughly intrigued. ‘You know, I’m sure I’ve heard that “if that’s your real picture” line somewhere else, as w— Wait,’ he said suddenly, pulling out his phone.
Robin drove in silence while Strike looked up something on his phone. Five minutes passed. Then Strike said,
‘I was right. I’m on the website of a guy called Kosh with a K, who describes himself as “the internationally famous Pick-Up Artist who has taught millions of men how to get sex from women within hours of meeting them! Bestselling author of Bang! and Game.” I’ve just downloaded his Digital Game ebook. You ready?’
‘Go on,’ said Robin, so Strike read aloud:
Digital Game
Repeat after me: you will not find a wife on the internet.
Women online can get as much dick as they want. Even 4s or 5s get hit on regularly, which means they’ve gotten—
‘He’s American,’ Strike interjected.
‘And I’m warming to him already,’ said Robin.
—gotten used to considering men as disposable chew toys. By playing the numbers game, women online might even get the occasional shot at an alpha.
If a woman has a proven pattern of internet hook-ups, you’ll never be safe from the implicit threat that you can be replaced as long as her lazy little fingers can operate the mouse. No man wants to leave a wife at home knowing she’ll be hunting fresh dick at the click of a few buttons.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that this frees you from the usual constraints of in-person Game. Digital Game is the most ruthless and in some ways the most enjoyable of all Game: minimum effort, maximum pay off – as long as you’re prepared to accept lower grade pussy.
‘Lovely,’ said Robin.
But if it’s pussy in quantity rather than quality you’re after, get yourself online. By internalizing the following ground rules and putting in a small amount of effort, you’ll be certain of achieving hook-ups regularly and with ease.
‘Then we’ve got the infallible steps to securing said hook-ups,’ said Strike.
1. Carpet-bombing
You may have to hit on anywhere between 50–100 girls to ensure one or two hook-ups, in addition to nudes/camcorder action.
If you follow these steps consistently, your digital game will become effortless. One great advantage of Digital Game is that you can target large numbers of women simultaneously. I seriously advise keeping a chart so you know where in the process you are with each target.
‘That was Tim Ashcroft’s mistake,’ said Robin. ‘Not keeping a chart. Rachel told me he’s hit on her three times, by mistake.’
2. Know your prey
Most available pussy on general apps such as Twitter, tumblr, etc trend liberal/SJW – another reason you won’t find a future life partner here. SJW women are spoiled, self-centered, entitled and often aggressive. They’re also astonishingly easy to Game if you know the rules.
SJWs have an added layer of falsity compared to most women. They want alphas, but are ashamed of it. They love a white knight, but pretend they don’t. They want equality, but to be treated like the little princesses they secretly believe themselves to be.
Sensitivity, apparent respect for boundaries and faking interest in their opinions are key to hooking an SJW.
‘How do you even know about this guy Kosh?’ Robin asked.
‘A sixteen-year-old boy told me about him… But listen to this…’
3. Opening lines
The following are guaranteed openers I have used over and over again to secure hook-ups. One of the advantages of Digital Game is that you aren’t reliant on looks/in-person charm/tone of voice/body language. Simply cut, paste, and wait.
• If that’s your real picture you’re probably sick to death of men in your DMs so I’ll go now.
• Given what women get on this lousy platform, I feel the need to state upfront this isn’t a cheesy come-on, but the point you just made about [politics/social justice/lousy behaviour of men] is spot on.
• This isn’t a sleazy pick up ploy, just wanted to say that [guy who has disagreed with her/harassed/insulted her] was seriously out of order/ I’ve reported him.
‘I can’t believe this,’ said Robin, glancing sideways. ‘So all these idiots are using Kosh lines?’
‘There’s more,’ said Strike. ‘This bit’s interesting.’
4. Negging
Negging works online just as it works off. Once you’ve caught her attention with your fake interest in her opinions/concern about her welfare/appreciation for her looks, find something to criticize or disagree with. Keep it small and safe.
Destabilized, she will then work to regain your approval.
• [about her picture] but I guess you’ve used a load of filters, right? Everyone does.
• Guessing you haven’t read [insert SJW fave such as Noam Chomsky/Ta-Nehisi Coates/Anand Giridharadas and be ready with a single quote from the author]
• You came off as a little aggressive but I guess that’s understandable.
‘Kea said Anomie told her she was coming off as aggressive, but that he supposed it was understandable,’ said Strike, ‘which I thought at the time was a bit fucking rich, coming from Anomie…’
5. Promote fear of abandonment
She thinks you’re a good guy and she’s started working to regain your approvaclass="underline" now fall silent for anything from an hour to a full 24 hours, depending on your target. 8s and 9s shouldn’t be kept waiting long, because they have other options. For a 4 or 5, 24 hours will seal the deal. She needs to know you have a life/other demands on you, aside from an online interaction with a stranger.
6. The alpha in cuck’s clothing
Return without apology — you owe her nothing as yet, because she’s given you nothing. Reason for absence reveals you as an alpha without needing to be explicit: you are physically/emotionally strong, popular, financially solvent, and competent. You’re framing yourself as a reliable good guy without explicitly declaring yourself one.
• Guy across the hall needed me to lift his fridge so he could get some damn baby toy from out under it.
• My sister’s ex has been making himself a nuisance. Said I’d stay the night.
• Had to drive a friend to pick up his dog from the vet’s.
‘So that’s where all these sick dogs and cats come in?’ said Robin.
‘Looks like it.’