Intermission: Better save my energy for later and dive into the SIM

Considering that I might have called on Simone anytime if I really wanted, I decided it was wiser not to waste any more time and dive into the SIM proper right away. My choice made, a door materialized on the wall in front of me the moment I took the ticket from Simone's hand. On the door, clearly written, was my chosen destination. Tidying myself up a bit was simple; I was only in sweatpants and a t-shirt after all. With a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped through without hesitation.

"Have fun!" Simone called out with an evident sigh of relief in her voice, as if she was glad to see me move along. The white room faded into oblivion, my vision darkening before erupting in a dazzling flash of light.

The world reassembled around me, the light coalescing into shapes and colors, sounds filling my ears, and the ground firming beneath my feet. I found myself standing in the middle of a bustling city street, the air thick with the aroma of street food and the cacophony of urban life. The sky above was a brilliant blue, dotted with white clouds, and the sun cast long shadows through the canyons of skyscrapers.

I was in what appeared to be a modern metropolis, much like the ones back in the real world, but this one had an edge, a vibrancy that felt amplified. The people around me moved with purpose, dressed in a fusion of contemporary and futuristic fashion. Neon signs flickered in my peripheral vision, advertising everything from tech gadgets to sensory experiences.

I looked down at myself, noting that my attire had subtly changed; my sweatpants and t-shirt had morphed into something more fitting for this world - a stylish pair of jeans and a well-fitted shirt that made me feel both comfortable and confident. The ticket in my hand had vanished, replaced by a sleek, multifunctional device on my wrist, much like a smartwatch but with capabilities I could only guess at.

As I took in my surroundings, I felt an odd sense of ownership over this place, as if the city was my playground, tailored to my whims by the SIM's algorithms. Women passed by, some catching my eye with a knowing look, others going about their day but with an underlying current of availability that I knew was part of the free-use rule I’d set.

I was about to explore when I heard a familiar voice, now tinged with humor and sarcasm, coming from my wrist device, "Welcome to your personal slice of paradise, David. Remember, if you need anything, just call my name. Or better yet, don't call unless you're ready to tweak something. I've got other worlds to manage, you know."

I couldn't help but smile at Simone's playful jab. I felt a mix of excitement and anticipation, my heart racing not just from the newness of my environment but from the possibilities it held. The streets were alive with potential adventures, each person a potential story, each building a new chapter waiting to be explored.

The question now was where to start. Should I wander aimlessly, letting the city reveal its secrets, or head somewhere specific, like a café, a club, or perhaps back to my simulated home to see how my life here was laid out? The city was mine to command, my every step a choice in this meticulously crafted reality.

Where did I find myself? I was in a vibrant, living world where my fantasies were not just possible but were the fabric of daily life, a place where every encounter could lead to something extraordinary, and every moment was mine to shape.