This is a story about Michael. Michael has problems: he has problems with relationships, he has problems understanding other people's motives; he has problems with sex. In fact he has no insights into anyone other than himself. And he also has a drink problem. And then there are the drugs. But Michael is a genius, he makes the best virtual reality simulations in the world, simulations so real you could die in them. Which just happens to be another of Michael's problems. And then there are the rats...