April 18, 2135
NetNews: Bio/Virtual Link
Responding to rumors that post-bio destinations industry giant, Virtual Enterprises, Inc. is rudderless with the recent bio death of CEO Gunter Holden on February 17, company spokesman Terrance Stiles announced that the long- anticipated Virtual Moon environment is now a part of Bali Hai, VEI's premier post-bio program. "Rumors of VEI's being acquired by Paradise Found are more than ridiculous." Stiles said, discounting recent reports that not only Holden's transition, but the recent resignations of Marcia Evans who coordinated the Environmental Sims and Contracted Memories Dept. and Randall Patel, considered to be the foremost expert in environmental sensory and eco-system animal-sim interactions have left VEI vulnerable. "Richard Lee, who is continuing Randall Patel's exceptional work, was recruited by Patel himself and we are excited to bring a fresh perspective into the VEI family." Stiles declared. Neither Evans nor Patel were available for comment. Holden (56) committed suicide less than a day after the murders of his wife Karen (40) and his brother Jacob Holden (37). Gunter Holden, his wife Karen and Jacob Holden transitioned to Bali Hai and as new virtual residents they are currently in orientation. Stiles indicated that the Virtual Moon environment that includes six of the twenty current moon stations, a detailed "Earth to Moon" space-bus trip and a visit to the Neil Armstrong Moon Museum where participants can don spacesuits and see Armstrong's famous prints will be available to Bali Hai virtuals within weeks. "We at VEI ensure the safety of all our virtuals from unintended deletions by thoroughly testing all new software." Stiles said. According to Stiles,VEI will be leading the post-bio industry for many years to come.
BALI HAI MEMORY LIBRARY ENTRY
Randall Patel memory record 108 February 19, 2135 (confidential-hold)
The meeting takes too long—people don’t want to leave, reluctant to face such a change. Holden shot himself and the life drained out of all of us. Marcia, my poor love sits and grieves; I want to reach out and grasp her hand, but I stop myself. Even now she guards her pain as if to let it go would betray him. She stares at a small dish that sits on the conference table next to Monty—a souvenir from San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel and a memorable night. My dear friend Monty looks small—like a child as he occupies the dead man’s chair . . . so angry with Gunter, he shakes his head in disgust—ah but Monty we all know . . . the sin was not Gunter’s alone—you could have alerted the police, but you chose to protect Leroy. You must have known what Gunter might do—your love blinds you.
And what does my love do to me? It fills the corners in my soul and there is no more room to rage—oh Marcia you sit forlorn and wondering what you could have done. If only, you think, if only I hadn’t left . . .
Terrance Stiles the new consultant wants direction for his press release. I’m asked my opinion—what do we say—we all know the truth, but what do we say. I don’t know I answer, I left the company months ago—I’m here . . . for a friend. My friend, my sad love who looks at me now, and with a faint gesture—she presses her hand on the polished table, whispers “Stay.” Stiles announces that he will release a statement expressing our collective sorrow and only that. An accurate assessment—life as it was yesterday died with Holden, and the shroud is our collective sorrow.
I regret that Holden is gone—dead to us, yet he exists—a prisoner in his paradise. I surprise myself. In years past, my fondest wish was that he should depart this earth—the only way I was sure, for her to free herself and me.
My replacement, a young Taiwanese with dark blond hair shifts in his seat. He’s nervous because of my being here. I sympathize—he left a rival company to continue in my place and now he wonders what will happen to his dreams. Stiles calls an end to the meeting and copies of the statement will be sent to all. And now the leaving starts and it’s more than the end. Monty rises quickly. Leroy is being sentenced in a week—that tall young man with the friendly smile who resented how the poor must suffer in this life and then be shut out of virtual existence. Others more fortunate continue on to experience pleasures denied to those who can’t afford them. The unjust destruction of millions of virtuals, Leroy’s act as well as Holden’s brought us to this day and Monty is afraid to stay with Marcia and me as we sit and watch the others leave. Too much loss—an overwhelming end to all that brilliance—our collective brilliance that faded and became our sorrow.
And what does my love do to me? It fills the corners in my soul and there is no more room to rage—oh Marcia you sit forlorn and wondering what you could have done. If only, you think, if only I hadn’t left . . .
Terrance Stiles the new consultant wants direction for his press release. I’m asked my opinion—what do we say—we all know the truth, but what do we say. I don’t know I answer, I left the company months ago—I’m here . . . for a friend. My friend, my sad love who looks at me now, and with a faint gesture—she presses her hand on the polished table, whispers “Stay.” Stiles announces that he will release a statement expressing our collective sorrow and only that. An accurate assessment—life as it was yesterday died with Holden, and the shroud is our collective sorrow.
I regret that Holden is gone—dead to us, yet he exists—a prisoner in his paradise. I surprise myself. In years past, my fondest wish was that he should depart this earth—the only way I was sure, for her to free herself and me.
My replacement, a young Taiwanese with dark blond hair shifts in his seat. He’s nervous because of my being here. I sympathize—he left a rival company to continue in my place and now he wonders what will happen to his dreams. Stiles calls an end to the meeting and copies of the statement will be sent to all. And now the leaving starts and it’s more than the end. Monty rises quickly. Leroy is being sentenced in a week—that tall young man with the friendly smile who resented how the poor must suffer in this life and then be shut out of virtual existence. Others more fortunate continue on to experience pleasures denied to those who can’t afford them. The unjust destruction of millions of virtuals, Leroy’s act as well as Holden’s brought us to this day and Monty is afraid to stay with Marcia and me as we sit and watch the others leave. Too much loss—an overwhelming end to all that brilliance—our collective brilliance that faded and became our sorrow.
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