Chapter 1: Awakening to Uncertainty

The sound of the doorbell jolted him awake. A voice crackled over the intercom, “Resident Everly, for your safety, please remain still. Ensure your protective suit is secure before opening the door. We are here to escort you to the medical bay.”

Charlie retrieved a full-body suit reminiscent of old astronaut photographs from his history classes. Two tubes connected the suit to his helmet—one filtering out toxins from the air and the other converting carbon dioxide back into breathable oxygen. The helmet resembled an inverted egg, covering his face while allowing visibility through a shield that could be tinted to various shades. The escort party entered, their suits set to the darkest tint, obscuring their faces. He surmised the lead escort was a woman, given the sleek fit of her suit and her graceful movements, though he couldn’t discern her beauty.

“Hello, Resident. I am Dr. Bakshi. I’m here to ask you some preliminary questions before we take you to the medical bay. Could you please state your full name as it appears on your birth certificate?”

“Charles Roderick Everly.”

“Excellent. Now, your date of birth.” The inquiries continued, establishing his identity and fitness to share oxygen without the protective suits or the virtual realm.

“Are you experiencing any cold or flu-like symptoms?”

“No, I feel perfectly fine.”

“Can you clarify the significant reduction in your hours spent logged into the YouVerse?”

“Is melancholy linked to the plague?” Charlie replied sarcastically.

The faceless doctor paused her note-taking, glancing up at him. Charlie couldn’t determine if she was smiling or rolling her eyes. “Please follow us, Resident Everly.”

“Just Charlie, please,” he replied, attempting to lighten the mood.

“That won’t be necessary,” she answered in a monotone voice.

As they walked down a long corridor, one side lined with dormitory doors and the other revealing a view of Earth from space, Charlie gazed out the window. Suddenly, one of the windows flickered, as if the universe itself had hiccuped, while the other panels remained stable. What just happened? Are these windows or screens? he pondered. Are we even in space? If not, where are we?

“Is everything all right, Resident?” Dr. Bakshi inquired, noticing his distracted gaze. She fiddled with the buttons on her forearm as one escort broke away to investigate the faulty window.

“Just peachy,” he muttered.

Soon, Charlie found himself alone in the sanitation chamber, where he would undress and be cleansed before entering the purifier and then the dressing room. A neatly folded gown awaited him on the bench. He entered a standard examination room, where a middle-aged Indian woman with a white bob stood behind a mahogany desk, engrossed in a file. Looking up, she greeted him warmly, “Welcome, Resident Everly. Please have a seat on the examination table. We have much to discuss, starting with a check of your heart and lungs, if that’s agreeable.”

“Go right ahead,” Charlie replied, adjusting the open-backed gown.

Dr. Bakshi conducted the usual check-up procedures—blood pressure, reflexes, and sensory tests. The sound of her pen gliding over the wooden clipboard was oddly soothing, akin to gentle rain on a tin roof. “Everything appears to be functioning well, Resident Everly, at least physically. Now, let’s address your psychological evaluation. Your monitors have flagged some changes in your recent activities. Would you be willing to answer a few questions for your assessment?”

“Sure.”

“I previously inquired about the notable change in your time logged, and you responded rather cheekily. What do you think is causing your melancholy?” She peered at him over her glasses, perched delicately on her nose.

“To be honest, I’m utterly perplexed about my emotions and how I engage with the simulations. My heart delights in the adventure and experiences, yet my mind chastises me, reminding me that none of this is real. But if it isn’t real, why do I feel this way? Can you help me understand, Dr. Bakshi?”

“I am a physician, Resident Everly, not a philosopher. I won’t attempt to address such profound questions, but I can assure you that this is a common dilemma for a certain type of individual.”

“A certain type? What do you mean?”

“Some embrace the simulation, seeking ways to prolong the euphoria and ecstasy it brings, eagerly anticipating updates. Others, like you, grapple with the tension between inner and outer realities, finding it difficult to enjoy the simulation while aware of its artificial nature. I want to understand your internal struggles and why you’re spending more time outside the YouVerse.”

“My mind is constantly bombarded with questions. The more I engage online, the more I reflect on the simulation, our history, the NEG, and life on Earth.”

“What questions plague you? Perhaps I can provide some clarity to ease your turmoil.”

“What was that about the window earlier? It seemed to glitch, but how could that happen if it’s just a window?” Dr. Bakshi fell silent for a moment, her gaze drifting to a camera in the corner of the room.

“Charlie,” she said informally, “it’s evident that you’re an inquisitive person, perhaps someone who should have pursued academia, but blossomed too late. In the spirit of honesty, I’m going to share everything you wish to know, but I’ll need you to trust me. Can you do that?”

“I hope so, Doctor.”

“First, let go of the idea that a devil in a business suit oversees our operations. There are those who spread such nonsense in the YouVerse. We are grounded in science and committed to the welfare of humanity and the preservation of our species. The NEG is managed by elected leaders from our united nations, so I hope you can trust that our motives are aligned with global cooperation, not the whims of a billionaire supervillain.”

“That’s a relief,” Charlie admitted, voicing his unspoken thoughts.

“What you witnessed was a screen malfunction, which occurs occasionally, but most don’t notice or inquire. The truth is, we are not actually in space at all…”

The first video delves into the concept of escaping reality through gaming, exploring philosophical questions about existence and perception.

Chapter 2: The Nature of Reality

The second video examines the fascinating behavior of slime molds, drawing parallels to the complexities of consciousness and simulation in our own lives.

The narrative continues to unfold, leaving Charlie grappling with profound uncertainties in a world that blurs the lines between simulation and reality.