“If you want to live,” Cornelius said. “Do whatever you have to do to survive to floor 3. At 3, you can finally allocate all the points you receive from leveling up as well as pick a class and start developing your own niche style of fighting that best suits your abilities. Does anyone here have any loot boxes?” I raised my hand. So did Earl and a few others. “For those who didn’t raise their hand, the exit is over there, time to go back out to the dungeon and start earning your right [...]

Across from me, both hands flat on the table, Earl stared into my soul. Deadpan. A raw red cut was slashed across his left cheekbone. I stared back but looked away when he broke into a joyless smile. I tuned back into the tutorial. After a brief awkward silence, Cornelius started his lecture, “look, a lot of what I say will seem like magic, but it’s just technology beyond your understanding. Easiest thing to do is to not ask why or how and just go with it. Now, back to the inventory system…” “Wait,” said [...]

The entire audience was tuned in on the edge of their seats. Hands shot up. “We’re not answering any questions at this time, but we would like to point out how undisturbed you all are to be in the presence of aliens but perk up for a dopamine hit of fame. Most bathrooms will be equipped with mirrors if you would like to do some self-reflecting.” The PowerPoint continued going over things like how to control the announcements that flashed before my eyes, we learned about instant messaging chat features and the inventory system. “And [...]

New Achievement! Extreme apathy!             You’re unbothered by being thrown into a murder dungeon and coming face to face with aliens and monsters. Seriously, we’re measuring your heart rate and blood pressure, you didn’t spike a bit. What’s wrong with you?             Reward: One free therapy session with me, the AI, at a time of your choosing.   Holding the teacup with both hands I reveled in its warmth breathing deeply letting the fragrance overwhelm me in hopes of finding the eye in the storm. My eyes were closed tight. “You probably have a lot [...]

I have already lost touch with a couple of people I used to be. -Joan Didion   Manhattan, January 3, 5:14 A.M. This is a love story. The beer bottle smashed against the far side of the room, its sticky remnants dripping down the drywall. A large glass shard wobbled on the beat-up oak side table, lit by the neon Chinese takeout sign right outside the window, an omen of light swayed on the ceiling synchronized with the sharp glass. The whole room adopted a bloodred aura as if we were in a darkroom developing [...]