Virtually mirrored

The awakening

Getting out of the suit was finicky. His large, overweight frame popped out. At least, overweight by the standards of five minutes ago, not by real world ones. Lots of waste here in the real world. Memories felt so mixed up. What was him and what was the scenario? No dividing line, even a blurred one.

- Relax man. The memory suppression drugs will wear of within a couple hours and you'll have some real ones from the VR.

That voice. So nice, compassionate, every day. Both familiar and not. Westmore pulled himself into a sitting position, still staring at the white tiled floor. Palms on knees helped him to get up. There were other pods arranged in a circular pattern. At the center was a pillar, lines leading out. Stocks of nutrients and everything else required for the pods. Only one door. Ugly beige walls, soft looking though. Memories coming back slowly but surely. Stretching he walked to that door.

- Though I really don't know why you run this ancient scenario? - Roger added to the silence.
- I don't know. - Westmore answered, hand on knob- Just they feel... better.
- They're old. Full of plot holes. Half the stuff in there makes no sense. Just excuses for the emotions they try to dump on you. Too simple. On the right, end of hallway, third door. - Roger said at his back.
- I know I know... but thanks. - Westmore shot back.

It would be a couple hours until his head was straight. Recovery room would help. Food and drink designed to speed up the process. Soft light and no sound. The room was empty, guess only he was finishing at this moment. The dispenser gave him a kind of paste and a piece of tasteless bread. Water and tea was available, the latter chosen. Beige ugly walls, at least they soothed a little. The paste had a salty taste, like chicken. God knew what it was, probably recycled from waste. It should prepare his stomach for normal meals later.

Westmore knew the drill. He worked in this Immersion VR center. Technician of the lowest grade. Hands looked so fat holding the plastic glass, compared to what he felt an hour ago. Such a feeling of... despair and delight at the same time. Needed to get home. Sleep some. See what messages or calls were on his social accounts. Chest hurt a little. Was trying to hold himself like his weight was still half of the real one. Muscle memory was especially dangerous. Did a few more stretching exercises, was pretty sure some were from the scenario. Didn't matter.

Finally he picked up clothes from his locker. Palm bio sensor lock, not that there was anything of value in there. Pants, shirt, underwear. All of his meager funds and identity sewn into skin, biochipped. More stretching and a trip to the elevator. Public tube was on the 40th floor. Scanners tagged him leaving the Center, no need to let anyone know he was gone. Entered his destination on a keypad, results came up. Next available tube would be a twelve minute wait. Westmore waited alone, no one else on the station. It was a city wide system of above ground tubes. Connected to most tall buildings via stations, the perfect public transport. Cars moved separately. The system picked up passengers going to similar destinations up to a limit, with minimal detours.

An empty car arrived and he got in. All alone. Partway through the trip a woman came in and left a couple minutes later. After twenty minutes Westmore finally arrived home. Eloquence plaza, a series of tall buildings filled with small condos. Unlocked via biochip, like everything else in this world. His two room small condo lit up on entry. Clothes still strewn on the floor. Didn't care. Crashed into a bed, smell of dust permeating everything. Saw the blinking lights from his terminal, messages waiting. Sleep overtook him in minutes.

It was four in the morning when his eyes opened. Went to sleep too soon, can't go back now. Westmore walked to the dispenser and ordered his favorite. Stir fried beef in mushroom sauce, mash potatoes and green beans. Stared at the food dripping from his fork. Perfectly synthesized down from premade protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and flavor. Just like the real thing. Tasted wonderful after the memories from the VR simulation. A symphony of smells and textures. Followed by ice cream, waffles and a piece of cheese cake. The grey wastes be damned.

Replete, Westmore moved to his terminal. Took care of the bills, commercials and various text based offers. One even from a Virtual Reality Center, just not the one he worked at. A special sale on all wild west scenarios. Then he moved onto the video messages. One from human resources informing he is due back at work on monday, was sunday now. More commercials and offers of discounts. Annoying just to tap the delete button. Then came a voice message from his mother;

- Hi Nat. - only she called him that awful pet name. - This is your mother calling. - like he needed a refresher. - Hope you've had a good vacation and can get back to your life now Nat. That nonsense isn't real life you know? -always telling him that. - At least you have your job, those are so hard to get these days. Don't try to reach me, I'm going to another rejuvenation treatment. Will be gone for ten days. - She looked younger than he did, why did she need another one? - If you want to live forever Nat you have to work for it. - Who wants to live forever? - And when are you marrying that Audrey girl? I want to see you married sometime this century you know. Not getting any younger. If you don't have a career, then might as well get a wife and work on that first! Anyway, I'll call you when I'm out of my treatment. And stop living with your head in the clouds Nat!

The video message ended. Not even a "take care" or "stay safe". Of course she meant it, just would never say. There was a short message from his boss, overhaul on some pods needed to start next week. At least he said "take care of yourself" at the end. No messages from Audrey. Hoped there would be at least one, at least something. They agreed to a break, that was three weeks ago. Part of the reason for his vacation, made the time fly by. Time went by in the wastes. Guess he would call her, later. Still too early now.

Picked out new fresh clothes and went to his favorite place in the residential block, the roof. Brought some soft drinks along for the enjoyment. The roof was a brown flat surface with a low rail, enough to lean on. Westmore sat and watched the sun come up. Red, gold and white colors washed over the horizon. Night lights drowned out. Illuminated the city which stretched forever. Nothing like the grey of the wastes. Beautiful and warm. When the sky was light blue he went back to the condo. Was still early so Nathan spent an hour cleaning and putting things away. Started some laundry. Then he called Audrey. It rang multiple times before she answered.

- Oh hey Nathan. How come you calling so early? Usually you sleep in on weekends. - her lovely feminine voice greeted.
- My... um... VR scenario ended yesterday. Got a very early night. - he answered.
- Oh right.
- I... Audrey I wanted to talk... about us... and...
- I'm very busy right now Nathan. - she interrupted.
- Can I maybe come over then... later or whenever?
- Sure Nathan. You can come over now, I have some time before I have to go. Cya soon.

Audrey ended the call abruptly. Well, no waste. Seize the day, as his mother said. Laundry finished he started dressing.