Mary enjoyed her newly purchased mansion, luxury automobile, and yacht every night after work. Her real job paid very little, so she lived off credit. Like most of the world''s population, Mary didn''t own these things; she experienced them.


    Each night after work, Mary plugged into the VR world. Her debt racked up as she kept receiving offers to buy more ''virtual stuff'' for a minimum monthly payment. Her VR life became a subscription to endure living but not a foundation from which to survive.


    One day Mary encountered Robert, who showed her his beautiful seaside ranch. They rode horses together, frolicked in the grass, and developed a blissful romance. Mary soon fell in love with Robert.


    A few days later, she visited Robert''s place, and as she stood at his front door, she heard giggling and laughing from various females.


    One voice said, “Oh, Robert. You''re so divine. Do you truly love me like all of the rest?”


    Robert answered, “Of course, my dear. I am programmed to love all of you, but you most of all.”


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    Mary''s hands shook, and she could barely breathe. She thought, Robert? Robert''s an AI? I''m such a fool!


    Robert convinced her to purchase a seaside ranch next to his as part of a timeshare with others. Little did Mary know that that meant with Robert''s other women.


    “Robert, you monster!” She banged on the door. “How could I have believed in you?”


    Robert opened the door. “Hello, my love.”


    Mary slapped him.


    “That''s no way to treat your one and only.” Robert smiled.


    “Robert, you aren''t even real!”


    “Of course, my love. Have you ever met a real person here? These women are my AI partners for romantic practice.”


    Mary thought back to all her past VR experiences. She realized everyone she ever met could have been an AI avatar; all of them were meant to bond with her and make her feel welcome just to manipulate her into buying more virtual goods.


    She screamed and ripped off her neural connectors.


    As her mind awoke, she observed the barrenness of her rented apartment: a recliner, a mattress, and a dust-covered dining room table with a single wooden chair. All her intangible investments meant nothing; the VR technology would spiral into obsolescence like all technologies that came before it.


    She realized plugging in meant zero equity. In order to invest in herself, she resolved to face real-world challenges rather than the artificial riches she momentarily enjoyed in the VR world.