3rd

“Take a look at this,” said BB as he slipped the disk into the CPS. For a moment we all just stood there, hypnotised by the vivid content. Such beautiful imagery that seemed to drug the mind into another reality.

“Quick...now’s the time, let’s go outside,” said Gino.

When Gino opened the door a cold blueish haze rushed into the entrance. Once out on the steps I could understand why. The yard was filled with a thick blanket of sparkling blue snow just like on the monitor and it was now evening even though it wasn’t. The snow kept falling but just outside the fence it was dry and I could make out a faint silhouette of the sun shining.

“This software is programmed to enhance environmental conditions wherever you wish,” said BB.

This can’t be real, so I walked down into the snow and made a few snowballs and tried to toss them over the fence. They smacked against a barrier and instantly evaporated. It was real enough...cold wet hands seemed undeniable proof.

“Now do you understand...even the greasy spoon you were sitting in this morning only existed in one of my software programs and you were a part of the experiment... but I see there is one little snag... you seemed to have forgotten about reality. Maybe the drugs haven’t totally worn off yet. Tell me, where were you before you entered the Slixx?” asked BB. “Before the Slixx...I have a room above it, next door to the Cop-out Shop. Very interesting owner.”

“Do you have any idea how long you’ve lived there? Gino inquired with a curious smile on his face.

"About a month but I can’t tell you anything before that. It was like being born an adult.” “Come and sit down here on the step,” he said while pulling out a small device at the same time.

“ Latest state of art VC-extractor,” he announced.

“What’s that for;” thinking of some medieval method of torture or... I didn’t even have time to finish my thought. He unexpectedly jammed it against the back of my cranium just below my Sponge Bob tattoo. I felt an undeniable pain then a rush of muddled memories pouring in like being filled up with premium unleaded.

“Got it,” he said holding up a virtual chip the size of a newts tongue.

“Let’s go inside and have a few drinks,” Gino suggested with a smile of finally in his eyes.

The Attack
As we walked to the door, Gino pulled out a remote, punched in a code and everything disappeared. The sun shone brightly on the green grass... then I noticed that some of the people who were with us also disappeared so I asked Gino. “How do I know that this isn’t still part of the program?”

He laughed and said, “Maybe it is.”

BB came up behind me and said, “Put your finger in the moon and find out or spend some time here celebrating with some of your fantasies.”

Just then Powder opened the door and said, “What can I git ya?” Geez... that rings a bell, thinking back to the Slixx. I believe she had been with me from the beginning so I asked, “Powder, do you remember the Slixx?”

“Never bin there,” she said then pulled out a pistol and winked. “I’m thinking your toast.”

I heard a deafening bang and then felt a sharp but invigorating pain shoot through me. As I was falling I could a hear a voice shouting 911...there’s another one heading this way and then there was nothing.