Francine and her old brother Douglas were able to enjoy full immersion VR, thanks to a recent breakthrough in AGI that soon gave way to an ASI with a direct plug-in to a nano-created exocortex, creating a reality ''more real than real.'' In fact, the popularly coined phrase describing the groundbreaking technology became ''Realer than Reality.''


    Francine took a long walk along a sandy beach, breathing in the salty, breezy air while listening to wildlife and crashing ocean waves, with not a person in sight.


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    She returned home …


    Douglas unplugged and said, "That was such an awesome space battle! I ruled the galaxy. Where have you been, Francine?"


    "I went for a stroll on the beach … so serene and isolated."


    "Sounds boring." Douglas rolled his eyes.


    Francine wiped the sand off her sandals.


    Douglas blinked in shock. "You mean the real beach?"


    "Of course, Douglas, with everyone else plugged in, I have nature all to myself."