In a future where pleasure is bought in virtual reality parlors, one man creates the perfect lover. Spun from binary code, everything he could want in a boy except real ... or is he?<br><br>Be forewarned: this story is different from what you're used to reading. It's in the second person POV, the present tense, and contains two nameless characters.<br><br>Welcome to a world where pleasure is bought and sold in virtual reality parlors. Where customers can fashion a computerized fantasy playmate who is always willing and caters to their every sexual desire. Where reality blurs between worlds, and the only thing you can believe in is love ...

VR Palace

He doesn’t. “I don’t want you to go,” he says, like he has a choice.


But do you really? It’s Friday—no work tomorrow, no hot date tonight, nothing but your lonely a  ment waiting for you when you leave. The only reason you have to go is because you only paid for two hours, though you know Vito’ll spot you if you go over.


The program’s not working right,your mind whispers. It could be dangerous to stay too long. Abort now, come back tomorrow, and use a different unit. You’ll find yourself back in your own fantasy world and he won’t remember any of this if you don’t want him to.“Can you close your eyes maybe?”


He stares at you a moment longer and you think he’s going to refuse. He wants to watch you fade out of this existence and the last thing you want is the memory of his eyes to haunt you the rest of the night. Then his lips twitch, the faint ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, and his eyes slip closed.


Chapter 12