Back in his little box of an apartment, he discovered some features built into the overhead screen. He could override the thing to use it as a second monitor for his Talisman or another computer, but by default it had helpful info like a guide to Castor and to the living facility. At its suggestion he slid out of his room and discovered the shared area: a tiny hallway reachable by anyone with a room key. It had bathrooms, showers, an excuse for a kitchen, and vending machines. Strangely, the snacks and drinks included not just the usual soda and candy. One whole machine was devoted to a line of nutritious protein shakes called Manna. The snack machine also offered tiny Bibles.

Stan returned to his room, mindful of the metal walkway under his feet and the ocean below. He looked out for a while at the Caribbean Sea and at the few stars shining through the lights of the colony. It was eerily quiet. Occasionally he heard the rollercoaster go by in the distance, or something loud happening in one of the subterranean bars, but where were the group activities he was so used to? Every night at the Community there'd been a movie night, a sing-along, a lecture about health or sharing or some other educational thing. Often he'd blown those things off, especially since taking up Thousand Tales, but it'd been nice to know the events were there if he wanted.

He had a hundred questions to ask Ludo, but there was work to do in the morning and the stress of the last few days was getting to him again. He shut his door, spread a spare shirt on the room's bare floor, and slept through the night.

#

In the morning the living-pod's alarm of deep bells woke him when he'd asked. What he hadn't asked for was the bonus text:

Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith!"

Stan frowned at the advertising. He bought a carton of milk and some cornflakes, wolfed those down, changed clothes, and headed to work across the bridge. He was dressed better than a flower today, in a t-shirt with a Thousand Tales logo that he'd gotten -- earned -- by working hard to build a playground in Mexico. He still gawked at the array of sex, drugs and rock-and-roll in the Libertalia main plaza; he suspected the "fun" never stopped.

Sonia was the one to greet him first, appearing on a screen in the lobby. The bat-winged sky pirate said, "Good timing and welcome, new employee. For the moment, we need you at the front desk. Hop on up there. And put on the uniform; currently it's just that spare apron."

Dahl the front-man was vacuuming the restaurant, occasionally turning off the cleaner to look around as though listening for something. Stan looked behind the front podium and found a folded blue work apron with pockets, which he tied over his old Community shirt. He stashed his backpack into a cubby and sat on a tall chair. Instinctively Stan glanced at the podium's simple wooden parts and how they were attached; just junky plywood and screws. "Okay, I sit here and...?"

"The good news is you're not required to be bored out of your skull," said Sonia behind him. "You get to game, some of the time. Or, you know, read a book."

Stan turned toward her. "I thought I was going to be maintaining the VR machines."

"That's part of your job. In fact, you should read the basic maintenance guides while you're sitting there."

"Already did. Had a long car ride here."

"Huh. Try the basic customer service video, then."

No customers were coming in; the Fun Zone was nominally open 24/7 but stood idle now. Stan shrugged and took out his Talisman to get connected to the local network. Employee training material wasn't the only special content on here; there was a Thousand Tales game zone only reachable from this location, and another from only the Fun Zones in general around the world.

The customer service tutorial tried to be engaging, but Stan rolled his eyes at the gags and was glad when an actual customer came in. A corporate guy who didn't look like he was here to play games. "I'm here for a consultation," the man said. looking terribly nervous and clutching a briefcase.

"About what?"

"Uploading. I want to do it. Can I go today?"

The video had covered that topic already. This was the kind of customer that brought in big bucks, after all, if he went through with it. He'd become an immortal and get the glamorous life people wanted, or thought they wanted. Stan smiled and told the man, "We require a waiting period of three days between declaring your interest and getting the procedure done, but we can get you a free consultation right now and accept a deposit if you like what you hear."

"Three days! I've already decided, and I have the money. Come on, let me talk to the AI."

Stan tapped a few buttons on his Talisman to root through some menus, and said, "All right. VR pod #1 is open for you, so you can talk directly with Ludo."

"Great. Thank you." The man marched upstairs.

When he was gone, Stan looked at the nearest video screen and said, "Did I do that right?"

Sonia appeared from inside the game, looking haggard and wearing a bathrobe. It seemed to be night in there. She sat on a bed in her ship's cabin. "Yes. What's your impression of him?"

"A guy that intent on hurrying through the process is weird. If I'd made up my mind and had the money, I'd be eager to get it over with too, like a guy holding a magic lamp and wanting to wish before somebody can snatch the thing away."

"Your first instinct is right. We've gotten a couple of people who've committed fraud, then run to us so they can conveniently be legally dead when the cops catch up. That's one reason for the waiting period. 'The wicked flee when no man pursueth.'"

Stan frowned. "Is that another Bible thing? Somehow I got put into a religious hotel."

With a laugh Sonia answered, "Oh, that one. Yeah, I'm not a fan, but it's as cheap a place as you'll ever want to live in. Got your room decked out yet?"

"Not at all."

"No wonder you look like that. Well, back to work; I see another customer coming."

This one was just a lady here for breakfast, so Stan directed her into the restaurant. Then came a lull. Stan finished watching the basic videos and after sending another few people through the doors, turned to the game. Finally, a chance to play again!