[Republished] A World Gone Virtual (8 in Science Fiction 3/8/13)

Chapter Four

The small round man stares at me from down the long table.

"Mr. Wells, you are here on charges of revealing the simulated nature of the world of CyberSphere to a native inhabitant.  This is a very serious matter.  Alison Jessica Johnson, also known as 'AJ', is aware of her existence as--"

"Aware?" I say sharply, my heart beating fast.

His gray eyes narrow at me.  "The simulants are programmed to behave realistically, Mr. Wells.  Miss Johnson, given her programming to respond in shock if this very scenario ever presented itself, has responded accordingly and is now 'aware' of the nature of her world, for the purpose of the word.  However, showing her evidence was quite another matter.  The fairly rigid system of rules under which all simulants operate is not accustomed to dealing with such unexpected events, and thus, such events may divert initial programming, like a software bug.  This may cause glitches in her programming, leading to the necessity of termination."

"Where is she?" I ask, my throat tight.

The avatar of the Director of Criminal Affairs in Virtual Reality clears his throat.  "Miss Johnson is in custody of our Global Protection Agency, which, as you know, is the proxy organization for CyberSphere Corporations in the virtual world.  She seems stable currently, though that means little.  Problems may arise later.  Pending a full evaluation, she will be released back into the city to continue her life but will be monitored from now on regardless of the results.

He clears his throat again.  "As for you, Mr. Wells, do you have anything else to say in defense before the Board determines a verdict?"

I take a deep breath.  "I told AJ because I wanted her to know.  I spend more time in CyberSphere than in my actual life outside the simulation these days, so I figured I'd be seeing more of her anyway.  And honestly...I really don't care if she's basically a software program.  Her actions and emotions seem real to me, and I guess that's what matters, isn't it?  I consider her a friend, so--"

A Board member, with the avatar of a red-haired woman wearing a gray suit over a white blouse and slacks, leans in, clearing her throat.  "Mr. Wells...Seth...am I--are we--to understand that you are wishing you could stay connected to the simulated reality of CyberSphere?  I am afraid that is quite out of the question.  First, it would infeasible: who would care for your body?  Who would maintain your IV?  Second, it would be potentially dangerous: while muscle-atrophy would be avoided since the datasuit uses physical user movements to navigate in the virtual world, it is noted that users have actually been injured using the system--often in unconventional situations, it is true--but if you were injured and no one was around, who would assist you?"  She sits back, watching me.

I say nothing.  These are trivial concerns and I can think of several ways to resolve them...maybe.  "Take my money," I say.  "Use it to--"

The woman chuckles.  "Our records show you work in a bookstore and a pizza parlor, and for minimum wage, at that.  What you are asking for would require an astronomical cost, young man.  Our answer is no."

The man at the head of the table clears his throat.  "And now we move back to our main...issue here.  Anything else you wish to add?"

I try to speak but can't make a sound.  This is it.

"Yes," I manage.  "I told her because I wanted to see what she would think.  I guess...I guess I forgot she wasn't human.  I apologize...I thought if we were alone--I took her to the Park for this reason--that no one would hear or be affected.  And no one would have been, if an agent hadn't been driving nearby and seen us.  I never meant to hurt her.  It wasn't malicious.  I...I genuinely care about her, and I just...I forgot, I guess."

I am taken back to the interrogation room while they debate my fate.  I was surprised we didn't have my hearing in a courtroom, but I guess, given my peculiar circumstances...

The door opens again after nearly four hours.  Agent Zimmer leads me silently back to the room where the Board is.

When I am seated again, the man's avatar nods and clears his throat dryly.  "Very well.  I think we know what our decision is, yes?" he says, addressing the Board.  They nod and then look at me.

"Seth Wells...your avatar is not going to be terminated."  He clears his throat again, tilting his head as he looks at me.  "We have considered a...new angle and are willing...to negotiate a certain compromise.  Your proposal of living full-time in a simulated environment is...unequivocally unprecedented.  Therefore...during these next few months, as it is May, your body will be taken into the custody of CyberSphere Corporations.  You will be connected to the system and your body will be sustained in the outside world.

"Understand that this is...a contract.  A compromise.  While you are living in the simulation, you will follow all laws and regulations within the system, without fail.  You will live your life as though you are in the real world, as though you are not in a simulation.  This is not a game of any sort, do I make myself clear?

"You are equally forbidden from informing anyone of what your circumstances are.  Should you fail to keep these requirements, your time in the simulation will come to an end and legal action will be taken in the outer world for breach of contract.

"Finally, you agree to surrender your body to us during these next three summer months.  You will not disconnect from the system at any time, save an emergency, or you will be held in breach of contract.  A considerable amount of money is being spent on this venture, and you will honor our agreement.  Further, CyberSphere Corporations will be performing experiments on you, to test the effects of living in virtual reality for a significant amount of time.  Now: Do you agree to this contract?"

I nod, hardly able to believe my ears.

 He nods gravely.  "Then we have a deal."