“You have two text messages from your mother and one text message from Liu. Would you like to read them before beginning immersion?”

“Read me the two text messages from my mother. Delete the one from Liu.”

“Text message one: ‘Are you still moping in your apartment on that damn game? It’s been over seven months. You need to get outside and exercise. I don’t care what that propaganda nonsense says about the machine exercising your body better than you ever could yourself. You need real physical exercise! And make sure you’re eating real meals! Don’t just let that machine feed you! It’s just creepy when people use those in-game meal services instead of the real thing. It’s like they’re some kind of vegetable in a coma just waiting to die.’ End of message. Would you like to leave a reply?”

“Not yet. Read me the second message from her first.”

“Text message two: ‘Liu called to check in on us again today. She said you still aren’t returning her calls. You know that she was only doing what she thought was best. Why not cut her some slack and forgive her already?’ End of message. Would you like to leave a reply?”

“Hmm . . .” Lucas stared up at the text for a moment, lost in thought. She’s still checking in on them once a week? Whatever. It’s not my problem. “Yeah, let’s leave a reply.”

“Excellent, what would you like to say?”

“Tell her, ‘I’m still eating real meals, and I’m still taking walks every day. I’ll come back and visit on the holidays. Love you, Lucas.’”

“Well written. Your message has been delivered. Would you like to wait for a reply or begin immersion now?”

“Just begin the immersion process.”

“Please close your eyes and relax. Immersion process is starting.” The dive capsule began filling up with a slick gel, and the voice slowly became softer and softer with each passing word as Lucas’s naked body was taken over by the liquid and the machine. Seconds later, the machine began accessing his brain, and music from one of his favorite composers, Vivaldi, wafted into his ears.

“You may now open your eyes,” the system notified him.

Lucas did as he was prompted and discovered that the tech display that he had been looking at moments ago from the inside of the capsule was gone. Instead, it had been replaced by a multicolored sea of flowers which stretched up a long hill. The sweet, fragrant smell of so many different blossoms filled his nose as he took in a deep breath of the crisp, clean outdoor air, and he felt the warmth of the sun against his skin.