He viewed his Friends: Takashi Nakamura and Sonia Carter. It was good to have Friends. Why did he only have two? That wasn’t in the spirit of Unison. Well, now that he was home, he could devote some time to Friending new people.

He admired the patches of light that pooled on the leafy trail beneath his feet. It was so peaceful here. He felt as if he could lie down in a bed of dry leaves and curl up forever. The orchard began to thin out. A wooden archway covered in apple blossoms marked the edge.

Suddenly, he felt a twitch in the back of his mind. It was uncomfortable for a second—an itch he couldn’t scratch—but then his Feed said:

Takashi Nakamura is in Unison!

His First Friend’s Thoughtstream blinked to life.

Takashi Nakamura just became a level 65 General in the Saturnine War RPG.

Adam Trevor felt the afterglow of Takashi’s achievement. His First Friend was proud, and he felt bits and pieces of Takashi’s fulfillment like the warm patches of light through the trees. Everyone was so happy today! He laughed out loud.

At the very edge of the orchard he stopped. Before him, ghosts were lining up behind a red velvet rope. Their heavy Thoughtstream chatter blindsided him: they were each desperate to be his Friend. The line ended beneath the marquee of a grand brick concert hall. Red letters on the marquee said:

UNICORP AUDITORIUM PRESENTS

AN EVENING WITH ADAM TREVOR

It didn’t make total sense, but he thought he could vaguely remember the grueling audition process, the heartbreak of rejection, the late nights and long hours spent with a voice coach. He deserved this, after all his hard work. He’d finally made it! This concert was his shot at superstardom.

A single door opened a few feet down from the front entrance. A ghost with a plump face and shiny, slicked-back hair leaned out and said, “Psst! Mr. Trevor! We’ve been waiting for you—this way!”

Ambrose ran to the door marked ARTISTS’ ENTRANCE and ducked inside a dim backstage hallway. The ghost was short, round, and impeccably dressed in a tuxedo. He bowed.

“It is my great pleasure to finally meet you. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the stage for your sound check.”

He pulled back a maroon velvet curtain. The stage was empty except for a piano and a microphone.

“I play the piano,” Adam said.

The man smiled. “Of course you do. And it’s a full house tonight, so you’d better warm up. Please.” The man extended his hand to indicate the empty auditorium. Adam walked onstage, his footsteps echoing inside the cavernous space.

I am Adam Trevor. I play the piano. I am Adam Trevor. I sing.