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Changed line(s) 50 (click to see context) from:
* TheEndOrIsIt: Defied, one digger is still left after the kids leave, implying it will still try to wreak havoc, but then Kate comes and squashes it, insuring he will never come back again.
to:
* TheEndOrIsIt: Defied, only one digger is still left after the kids leave, implying it will still try to wreak havoc, but then Kate comes and squashes it, insuring he will never come back again.
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Added DiffLines:
* TheEndOrIsIt: Defied, one digger is still left after the kids leave, implying it will still try to wreak havoc, but then Kate comes and squashes it, insuring he will never come back again.
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Changed line(s) 54 (click to see context) from:
* SciFiHorror: Some kind of entity, embodied in {{Cyberspace}}, converts people into digital symbols and trap them in virtual pets.
to:
* SciFiHorror: Some kind of entity, embodied in {{Cyberspace}}, converts people into digital symbols and to trap them in virtual pets.
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Changed line(s) 52 (click to see context) from:
* RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror.
to:
* RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves light waves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror.mirror.
* SciFiHorror: Some kind of entity, embodied in {{Cyberspace}}, converts people into digital symbols and trap them in virtual pets.
* SciFiHorror: Some kind of entity, embodied in {{Cyberspace}}, converts people into digital symbols and trap them in virtual pets.
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Changed line(s) 4,95 (click to see context) from:
With a repeated beeping from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone. Quinn mocks the [[TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
One evening, Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with the ring-framed face of a digital cartoon bulldog. An electronically reproduced female voice welcomes Tom to Digger, the Digital Information Gathering Resource Website.
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… you can hear me?
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Amazed, Tom invites the website to read the cover of his book, ‘’Advanced Computer Language’’. It does. Tom is thrilled.
Suddenly, the cartoon dog’s eyes glow blue.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
The screen glows purple. Uneasy, Tom repeatedly presses "escape," to no avail.
From the middle of the screen, a wispy stream of purple light flows towards Tom’s face, and engulfs him. Tom’s entire body blurs. His skin and clothes fade to the sharp, rippling components of a digital construct - and fade from view.
One morning, on the bustling school lawn, Kate invites Isabel shopping. Isabel is transfixed by a small, beeping yellow rectangle, and doesn’t catch the invitation. She excitedly runs to join a small crowd, each of whom stare excitedly at a similar yellow rectangle.
By their lockers, Isabel tells Kate about the latest virtual pets.
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tom says they can hear and understand your voice.
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands out the virtual pets.
-->'''Isabel:''' How much do the Diggers cost?
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabel uneasily declines the offer.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
As he bends down, Kate sees, on the back of his neck, a purple image of the cartoon dog’s face.
At a clothes shop, Kate asks Isabel’s opinion on a cardigan.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
That evening, Kate joins Isabel for shared revision. At her desk, Isabel reads aloud from a textbook.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing with the Digger for a while, and get on with some work. However, as she lies on her bed to read, the blank-screened Digger, placed on her bedside cabinet, flashes a tiny red light bulb. As Isabel looks, the purple glow returns…
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakes Isabel with a summons. Isabel opens the cupboard door.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
From the screen, a stream of purple light reaches for Isabel’s brow. Airborne digital patterns pulse across the beam.
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’s entire frame blurs, and fades to the sharp ripples of a digital construct. Her features glow, and fade to a blazing outline. From out of it steps an identical replica of Isabel. The original Isabel’s digitised components fade into the beam, which withdraws into the Digger. Replica Isabel smirks.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks at the Digger. On its tiny screen, a tiny, pixelated image of Isabel cries for help. The Replica Isabel laughs...
One evening, Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with the ring-framed face of a digital cartoon bulldog. An electronically reproduced female voice welcomes Tom to Digger, the Digital Information Gathering Resource Website.
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… you can hear me?
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Amazed, Tom invites the website to read the cover of his book, ‘’Advanced Computer Language’’. It does. Tom is thrilled.
Suddenly, the cartoon dog’s eyes glow blue.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
The screen glows purple. Uneasy, Tom repeatedly presses "escape," to no avail.
From the middle of the screen, a wispy stream of purple light flows towards Tom’s face, and engulfs him. Tom’s entire body blurs. His skin and clothes fade to the sharp, rippling components of a digital construct - and fade from view.
One morning, on the bustling school lawn, Kate invites Isabel shopping. Isabel is transfixed by a small, beeping yellow rectangle, and doesn’t catch the invitation. She excitedly runs to join a small crowd, each of whom stare excitedly at a similar yellow rectangle.
By their lockers, Isabel tells Kate about the latest virtual pets.
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tom says they can hear and understand your voice.
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands out the virtual pets.
-->'''Isabel:''' How much do the Diggers cost?
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabel uneasily declines the offer.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
As he bends down, Kate sees, on the back of his neck, a purple image of the cartoon dog’s face.
At a clothes shop, Kate asks Isabel’s opinion on a cardigan.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
That evening, Kate joins Isabel for shared revision. At her desk, Isabel reads aloud from a textbook.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing with the Digger for a while, and get on with some work. However, as she lies on her bed to read, the blank-screened Digger, placed on her bedside cabinet, flashes a tiny red light bulb. As Isabel looks, the purple glow returns…
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakes Isabel with a summons. Isabel opens the cupboard door.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
From the screen, a stream of purple light reaches for Isabel’s brow. Airborne digital patterns pulse across the beam.
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’s entire frame blurs, and fades to the sharp ripples of a digital construct. Her features glow, and fade to a blazing outline. From out of it steps an identical replica of Isabel. The original Isabel’s digitised components fade into the beam, which withdraws into the Digger. Replica Isabel smirks.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks at the Digger. On its tiny screen, a tiny, pixelated image of Isabel cries for help. The Replica Isabel laughs...
to:
With a repeated beeping beep from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone.mother. Quinn mocks the [[TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The "The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
One evening,Pets".
Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with thering-framed face of a digital a cartoon bulldog. An electronically reproduced A female voice welcomes Tom to Digger, the Digital Information Gathering Resource Website.
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… youWebsite - apparently, the digital information gatherer can hear me?
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Tom. Amazed, Tom he invites the website to read the cover of his book, ‘’Advanced Computer Language’’. It does. Tom is thrilled.
Suddenly, thecartoon dog’s eyes glow blue.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
Thescreen glows purple. Uneasy, Tom repeatedly presses "escape," to no avail.
From the middle of the screen, a wispy stream of purple light flows towards Tom’s face, and engulfs him. Tom’s entire body blurs. His skin and clothes fade to the sharp, rippling components of a digital construct - and fade from view.
view...
One morning,on the bustling school lawn, Kate invites Isabel shopping. Isabel is transfixed by a small, beeping yellow rectangle, and doesn’t catch the invitation. She excitedly runs to join a small crowd, each of whom stare excitedly at a similar yellow rectangle.
rectangle. By their lockers, Isabel tells Kate about the latest virtual pets.
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tompets - Tom, who brought in the "Diggers," says they can hear and understand your voice.
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands outthe virtual pets.owner's voice.
-->'''Isabel:''' How much do In class, Tom hands out the Diggers cost?
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabelfree virtual pets. Kate uneasily declines the offer.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
offer. As he bends down, Kate sees, on the back of his neck, a purple image of the cartoon dog’s face.
At a clothes shop, Kate asks Isabel’s opinion on a cardigan.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
That evening, Kate joins Isabel for shared revision. At her desk, Isabel reads aloud from a textbook.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing withtextbook - the Digger for a while, and get on with some work. However, as she lies on her bed likes to read, the blank-screened Digger, placed on her bedside cabinet, flashes a tiny red light bulb. As Isabel looks, the purple glow returns…
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
be read to.
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakesIsabel with a summons. Isabel opens the cupboard door.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
Isabel, and demands to be fed. From the screen, a stream of purple light reaches for Isabel’s brow. Airborne digital patterns pulse across the beam.
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’sHer entire frame blurs, blurs and fades to the sharp ripples of a digital construct. Her features glow, and fade to a blazing outline. digitally ripples. From out of it her digitised frame steps an identical replica of Isabel. The original Isabel’s digitised components fade into the beam, which withdraws into the Digger. Replica Isabel smirks.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks atsmirks. On the Digger. On its Digger's tiny screen, a tiny, pixelated image of Isabel cries for help. The Replica Isabel laughs...
help.
One evening,
Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with the
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… you
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Suddenly, the
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
The
One morning,
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tom
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands out
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabel
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing with
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakes
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’s
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks at
Changed line(s) 98,110 (click to see context) from:
In class, many other students have the same image on each of their necks. At her desk, Kate is startled to find herself under the cool gaze of several of those seated in front of her. She gasps.
The teacher asks if she’s alright. Kate apologises for the outburst.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffers a plastic yellow rectangle.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhat coolly asks to come over to Kate’s to do homework. Kate uneasily agrees.
The teacher asks if she’s alright. Kate apologises for the outburst.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffers a plastic yellow rectangle.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhat coolly asks to come over to Kate’s to do homework. Kate uneasily agrees.
to:
In class, many other students have the same image on each of their necks. At her desk, Kate is startled to find herself under the cool gaze of several of those seated in front of her. She gasps.
The teacher asks if she’s alright.gasps. "Isabel" offers Kate apologises for the outburst.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffersa plastic yellow rectangle.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhatDigger, which she coolly asks to come over to Kate’s to do homework. Kate uneasily agrees.
declines.
The teacher asks if she’s alright.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffers
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhat
Changed line(s) 113,246 (click to see context) from:
As Kate takes cover behind a chair, two other students enter to join Tom and Isabel at the computer.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
Into a rectangular plastic device, on which is mounted a large diamond, Tom plugs each virtual pet.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tom enters a code. To the others, he gives more Diggers.
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units, and stay with them until they’ve been collected. I expect Kate to be one of them.
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left. They each gesture desperately. Their tiny voices become audible.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
Kate tries to do switch off the monitor screen, but a tiny electric shock stops her.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabel suggests hitting both "control" and 'delete' at once.
Tom directs her to open the operating system.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.
-->'''Digger:''' Commence upload.\
Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen. The other Replicas then arrive.
From the wall, Kate takes a mirror - and uses it to deflect the digital beam into the computer screen. From the mirror, several beams bombard the glass.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover their ears.
From within the computer monitor, a small explosion shatters the screen.
The Replicas freeze in their respective positions. Each replicated body is wiped by a brilliant purple glow. When it fades, they fall to the floor.
Kate surveys the smoking monitor.
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
She briefly panics at the similarly wrecked virtual pets - but is assured by Isabel that all is well. Kate finds no tattoo on Isabel’s neck, and is reassured.
Thrilled by her life-or-death contest, Kate announces herself a recent convert to the world of computers.
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
Into a rectangular plastic device, on which is mounted a large diamond, Tom plugs each virtual pet.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tom enters a code. To the others, he gives more Diggers.
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units, and stay with them until they’ve been collected. I expect Kate to be one of them.
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left. They each gesture desperately. Their tiny voices become audible.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
Kate tries to do switch off the monitor screen, but a tiny electric shock stops her.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabel suggests hitting both "control" and 'delete' at once.
Tom directs her to open the operating system.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.
-->'''Digger:''' Commence upload.\
Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen. The other Replicas then arrive.
From the wall, Kate takes a mirror - and uses it to deflect the digital beam into the computer screen. From the mirror, several beams bombard the glass.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover their ears.
From within the computer monitor, a small explosion shatters the screen.
The Replicas freeze in their respective positions. Each replicated body is wiped by a brilliant purple glow. When it fades, they fall to the floor.
Kate surveys the smoking monitor.
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
She briefly panics at the similarly wrecked virtual pets - but is assured by Isabel that all is well. Kate finds no tattoo on Isabel’s neck, and is reassured.
Thrilled by her life-or-death contest, Kate announces herself a recent convert to the world of computers.
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
to:
As Kate takes cover behind a chair, two other students enter to join Tom and Isabel at the computer.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
computer. Into a rectangular plastic device, on which is mounted a large diamond, Tom plugs each virtual pet.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tompet. He enters a code. To the others, he He gives the others more Diggers.
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units,Diggers, and stay leaves with them until they’ve been collected. I expect Kate to be one of them.
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
them.
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left.They each gesture desperately. Their tiny voices become audible.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
audible. Kate tries to do switch off the monitor screen, but a tiny electric shock stops her.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabelher. Tom suggests hitting both "control" and 'delete' at once.
Tom directs hershe try to open shut down the operating system.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.possessed computer.
-->'''Digger:''' Commence upload.\
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns. To crash the computer, Tom directs her to open several programmes at once, and to press "Enter."
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet. Replica Isabel aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow. Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen.The other Replicas then arrive.
From the wall, Kate takes a mirror - and uses it to deflect the digital beam into the computer screen. From the mirror, several beams bombard the glass.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover theirears.
ears. From within the computer monitor, a small explosion shatters the screen.
screen. The Replicas freeze in their respective positions. Each replicated body is wiped by a brilliant purple glow. When it fades, they fall to the floor.
Kate surveys the smokingmonitor.
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
monitor. She briefly panics at the similarly wrecked virtual pets - but is assured by Isabel that all is well. Kate finds no tattoo on Isabel’s neck, and is reassured.
reassured. Thrilled by her life-or-death contest, Kate announces herself a recent convert to the world of computers.
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
computers.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tom
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units,
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabel
Tom directs her
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet. Replica Isabel aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow. Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover their
Kate surveys the smoking
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
Deleted line(s) 251,252 (click to see context) :
-->'''Isabel:''' On second thought, my pencil works just fine.\
Deleted line(s) 254,257 (click to see context) :
-->'''Quinn:''' It took me an hour to figure out how to do that…
-->'''Vange:''' Always wanted one of these…
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Recap/ pages are Spoilers Off.
Changed line(s) 4,5 (click to see context) from:
With a repeated beeping from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone. Quinn mocks the [[Main/TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
to:
With a repeated beeping from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone. Quinn mocks the [[Main/TheNineties [[TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
Deleted line(s) 259 (click to see context) :
Changed line(s) 262,263 (click to see context) from:
* ChekhovsGun: In the clothes shop, Kate pulls Isabel away from her virtual pet to behold a marvel achieved through the simpler method of combined mirrors: a view into infinity. Later, having failed to stop Digger by crashing the computer, Kate simply [[spoiler: uses a handy bedroom mirror to deflect the computer’s fork of digital lightning, causing it to overload]].
* {{Main/Cyberspace}}: The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
* {{Main/Cyberspace}}: The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
to:
* ChekhovsGun: In the clothes shop, Kate pulls Isabel away from her virtual pet to behold a marvel achieved through the simpler method of combined mirrors: a view into infinity. Later, having failed to stop Digger by crashing the computer, Kate simply [[spoiler: uses a handy bedroom mirror to deflect the computer’s fork of digital lightning, causing it to overload]].
overload.
*{{Main/Cyberspace}}: {{Cyberspace}}: The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
*
Changed line(s) 268 (click to see context) from:
* RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, [[spoiler: deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror]].
to:
* RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, [[spoiler: deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror]]. mirror.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
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Added DiffLines:
* NotSoAboveItAll: After defeating the Diggers, Kate has a newfound fascination with technology after her thrill of defeating them. ...Subverted, as she crushes a still-active Digger and decides [[RousseauWasRight her pen and pencil are adequate enough]].
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Changed line(s) 188 (click to see context) from:
→’’’Digger:’’’ Upload in one and a half minutes.
to:
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Changed line(s) 263 (click to see context) from:
* {{Main/Cyberspace:}} The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
to:
* {{Main/Cyberspace:}} {{Main/Cyberspace}}: The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
Changed line(s) 268 (click to see context) from:
* VirtualPets: A fictional interpretation; these virtual pets channel a sentient website, convert their owners into pixels, and imprison them in cyberspace.
to:
* VirtualPets: VirtualPet: A fictional interpretation; these virtual pets channel a sentient website, convert their owners into pixels, and imprison them in cyberspace.
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Changed line(s) 263 (click to see context) from:
* {{Cyberspace:}} The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
to:
* {{Cyberspace:}} {{Main/Cyberspace:}} The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
Changed line(s) 265,266 (click to see context) from:
* HypocrticalHumour: Vange warns against over-reliance on technology - then nabs Megan’s discarded pager for herself.
* LightIsNotGood: The bright blue Digger website, with its jolly cartoon dog, implies a fun-filled quest for “digging up” information. It really wants to trap everyone in cyberspace.
* LightIsNotGood: The bright blue Digger website, with its jolly cartoon dog, implies a fun-filled quest for “digging up” information. It really wants to trap everyone in cyberspace.
to:
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Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_10_25_at_174035.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"We read and store information."]]
With a repeated beeping from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone. Quinn mocks the [[Main/TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
One evening, Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with the ring-framed face of a digital cartoon bulldog. An electronically reproduced female voice welcomes Tom to Digger, the Digital Information Gathering Resource Website.
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… you can hear me?
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Amazed, Tom invites the website to read the cover of his book, ‘’Advanced Computer Language’’. It does. Tom is thrilled.
Suddenly, the cartoon dog’s eyes glow blue.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
The screen glows purple. Uneasy, Tom repeatedly presses "escape," to no avail.
From the middle of the screen, a wispy stream of purple light flows towards Tom’s face, and engulfs him. Tom’s entire body blurs. His skin and clothes fade to the sharp, rippling components of a digital construct - and fade from view.
One morning, on the bustling school lawn, Kate invites Isabel shopping. Isabel is transfixed by a small, beeping yellow rectangle, and doesn’t catch the invitation. She excitedly runs to join a small crowd, each of whom stare excitedly at a similar yellow rectangle.
By their lockers, Isabel tells Kate about the latest virtual pets.
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tom says they can hear and understand your voice.
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands out the virtual pets.
-->'''Isabel:''' How much do the Diggers cost?
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabel uneasily declines the offer.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
As he bends down, Kate sees, on the back of his neck, a purple image of the cartoon dog’s face.
At a clothes shop, Kate asks Isabel’s opinion on a cardigan.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
That evening, Kate joins Isabel for shared revision. At her desk, Isabel reads aloud from a textbook.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing with the Digger for a while, and get on with some work. However, as she lies on her bed to read, the blank-screened Digger, placed on her bedside cabinet, flashes a tiny red light bulb. As Isabel looks, the purple glow returns…
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakes Isabel with a summons. Isabel opens the cupboard door.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
From the screen, a stream of purple light reaches for Isabel’s brow. Airborne digital patterns pulse across the beam.
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’s entire frame blurs, and fades to the sharp ripples of a digital construct. Her features glow, and fade to a blazing outline. From out of it steps an identical replica of Isabel. The original Isabel’s digitised components fade into the beam, which withdraws into the Digger. Replica Isabel smirks.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks at the Digger. On its tiny screen, a tiny, pixelated image of Isabel cries for help. The Replica Isabel laughs...
Next morning, when Kate picks her up, "Isabel" seems strangely subdued. Kate notices, on Isabel’s neck, the purple image of a cartoon bulldog - just like Tom’s.
In class, many other students have the same image on each of their necks. At her desk, Kate is startled to find herself under the cool gaze of several of those seated in front of her. She gasps.
The teacher asks if she’s alright. Kate apologises for the outburst.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffers a plastic yellow rectangle.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhat coolly asks to come over to Kate’s to do homework. Kate uneasily agrees.
After school, Kate forgoes volleyball practise to follow her strangely behaving friend. As Isabel and Tom march in unison to Tom’s house, Isabel stealthily follows them round the back, through the basement door, and down to Tom’s basement bedroom.
As Kate takes cover behind a chair, two other students enter to join Tom and Isabel at the computer.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
Into a rectangular plastic device, on which is mounted a large diamond, Tom plugs each virtual pet.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tom enters a code. To the others, he gives more Diggers.
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units, and stay with them until they’ve been collected. I expect Kate to be one of them.
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left. They each gesture desperately. Their tiny voices become audible.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
Kate tries to do switch off the monitor screen, but a tiny electric shock stops her.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabel suggests hitting both "control" and 'delete' at once.
Tom directs her to open the operating system.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
→’’’Digger:’’’ Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.
-->'''Digger:''' Commence upload.\
Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen. The other Replicas then arrive.
From the wall, Kate takes a mirror - and uses it to deflect the digital beam into the computer screen. From the mirror, several beams bombard the glass.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover their ears.
From within the computer monitor, a small explosion shatters the screen.
The Replicas freeze in their respective positions. Each replicated body is wiped by a brilliant purple glow. When it fades, they fall to the floor.
Kate surveys the smoking monitor.
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
She briefly panics at the similarly wrecked virtual pets - but is assured by Isabel that all is well. Kate finds no tattoo on Isabel’s neck, and is reassured.
Thrilled by her life-or-death contest, Kate announces herself a recent convert to the world of computers.
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
''Beneath the desk lies a spare, intact virtual pet''...
Isabel’s shoe then crushes it.
-->'''Isabel:''' On second thought, my pencil works just fine.\
Vange closes with a warning not to underestimate computers. Megan’s pager beeps again. She inspects it, gasps in shock, drops the device on the sofa, and flees. Andy and Tucker read the tiny digital message, and hurry off. Vange reads it: "FEED ME".
-->'''Quinn:''' It took me an hour to figure out how to do that…
-->'''Vange:''' Always wanted one of these…
!!This episode provides examples of:
*AlienInvasion: A speculated origin of the Diggers.
*AssimilationPlot: The sapient website Digger aims to convert human bodies to digital information, and store them in cyberspace for dissection.
*ChekhovsGun: In the clothes shop, Kate pulls Isabel away from her virtual pet to behold a marvel achieved through the simpler method of combined mirrors: a view into infinity. Later, having failed to stop Digger by crashing the computer, Kate simply [[spoiler: uses a handy bedroom mirror to deflect the computer’s fork of digital lightning, causing it to overload]].
*{{Cyberspace:}} The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
*DataCrystal: Tom plugs the virtual pets into a rectangular relay device, atop which is mounted a large crystal, which beams data in digital pink beams.
*HypocrticalHumour: Vange warns against over-reliance on technology - then nabs Megan’s discarded pager for herself.
*LightIsNotGood: The bright blue Digger website, with its jolly cartoon dog, implies a fun-filled quest for “digging up” information. It really wants to trap everyone in cyberspace.
*ThePrankster: In classic Midnight Society tradition, Vange and Quinn alarm the others with implication of the threat depicted in tonight’s story to be real - she and Quinn have secretly arranged Megan’s pager to display the virtual pets’ message of "feed me."
*RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, [[spoiler: deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror]].
*VirtualPets: A fictional interpretation; these virtual pets channel a sentient website, convert their owners into pixels, and imprison them in cyberspace.
[[caption-width-right:350:"We read and store information."]]
With a repeated beeping from her pager, Megan decides to call her mother - not through smoke signals, as Tucker wryly suggests, but by phone. Quinn mocks the [[Main/TheNineties extravagance of owning a portable telephone]]. Vange ponders dependency on electronics - if computers are getting smarter all the time, what might that mean? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, she calls her story “The Tale of the Virtual Pets”.
One evening, Tom searches the web for artificial intelligence, and finds a blue screen, set with the ring-framed face of a digital cartoon bulldog. An electronically reproduced female voice welcomes Tom to Digger, the Digital Information Gathering Resource Website.
-->'''Tom:''' Cool!
-->'''Digger:''' Very.
-->'''Tom:''' Whoa… you can hear me?
-->'''Digger:''' Yes. We read and store information.
Amazed, Tom invites the website to read the cover of his book, ‘’Advanced Computer Language’’. It does. Tom is thrilled.
Suddenly, the cartoon dog’s eyes glow blue.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
The screen glows purple. Uneasy, Tom repeatedly presses "escape," to no avail.
From the middle of the screen, a wispy stream of purple light flows towards Tom’s face, and engulfs him. Tom’s entire body blurs. His skin and clothes fade to the sharp, rippling components of a digital construct - and fade from view.
One morning, on the bustling school lawn, Kate invites Isabel shopping. Isabel is transfixed by a small, beeping yellow rectangle, and doesn’t catch the invitation. She excitedly runs to join a small crowd, each of whom stare excitedly at a similar yellow rectangle.
By their lockers, Isabel tells Kate about the latest virtual pets.
-->'''Kate:''' So what? Just another video game.
-->'''Isabel:''' But it’s not! Tom says they can hear and understand your voice.
-->'''Kate:''' How does Tom know so much?
-->'''Isabel:''' He brought ‘em in - he calls them Diggers.
In class, Tom, with a glazed yet alert expression, hands out the virtual pets.
-->'''Isabel:''' How much do the Diggers cost?
-->'''Tom:''' They’re free.
-->'''Isabel:''' Wow, thanks!
Isabel uneasily declines the offer.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… no rush.
As he bends down, Kate sees, on the back of his neck, a purple image of the cartoon dog’s face.
At a clothes shop, Kate asks Isabel’s opinion on a cardigan.
Oblivious, Isabel stares at her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' It hatched! What do you need?
-->'''Digger:''' I… need… you.
Exasperated, Kate takes Isabel’s hand, and leads her to a set of continuously reflecting mirrors.
While impressed by the simply achieved glimpse of infinity, Isabel quickly returns to her Digger.
-->'''Isabel:''' Feeding it is like uploading information to a computer.
-->'''Kate:''' I don’t know what upload means, and I don’t care. Bye-bye.
She heads off.
At home, Isabel continues to stare at the small screen.
The Digger requests to be fed information.
-->'''Digger:''' Begin information upload.\
It beams a purple glow, and gives a low, synthesised screech.
Just then, her mother calls her for supper. Isabel looks away from the screen. The glow fades. On her desk, she leaves the Digger - which resumes its purple glow.
That evening, Kate joins Isabel for shared revision. At her desk, Isabel reads aloud from a textbook.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay, stupid question: why are you reading out loud?
-->'''Isabel:''' She likes me to read to her.
Isabel agrees to stop playing with the Digger for a while, and get on with some work. However, as she lies on her bed to read, the blank-screened Digger, placed on her bedside cabinet, flashes a tiny red light bulb. As Isabel looks, the purple glow returns…
Kate puts the Digger in a cupboard. Isabel asks her to turn out the light on her way out…
Late that night, the voice of the Digger wakes Isabel with a summons. Isabel opens the cupboard door.
-->'''Digger:''' Feed me.\
From the screen, a stream of purple light reaches for Isabel’s brow. Airborne digital patterns pulse across the beam.
Meanwhile, at his computer, Tom sits at the purple glow of the Digger website.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' Things are proceeding according to plan.
Paralysed by the digital beam, Isabel’s entire frame blurs, and fades to the sharp ripples of a digital construct. Her features glow, and fade to a blazing outline. From out of it steps an identical replica of Isabel. The original Isabel’s digitised components fade into the beam, which withdraws into the Digger. Replica Isabel smirks.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and tomorrow, we replace number five.\
Replica Isabel looks at the Digger. On its tiny screen, a tiny, pixelated image of Isabel cries for help. The Replica Isabel laughs...
Next morning, when Kate picks her up, "Isabel" seems strangely subdued. Kate notices, on Isabel’s neck, the purple image of a cartoon bulldog - just like Tom’s.
In class, many other students have the same image on each of their necks. At her desk, Kate is startled to find herself under the cool gaze of several of those seated in front of her. She gasps.
The teacher asks if she’s alright. Kate apologises for the outburst.
Isabel swivels round to face her, and proffers a plastic yellow rectangle.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate - I want you to have this.
-->'''Kate:''' I told you, I don’t want it.
-->'''Isabel:''' But ''it’s a lot of fun''.
-->'''Kate:''' I ''don’t want it''.
Isabel somewhat coolly asks to come over to Kate’s to do homework. Kate uneasily agrees.
After school, Kate forgoes volleyball practise to follow her strangely behaving friend. As Isabel and Tom march in unison to Tom’s house, Isabel stealthily follows them round the back, through the basement door, and down to Tom’s basement bedroom.
As Kate takes cover behind a chair, two other students enter to join Tom and Isabel at the computer.
-->'''Digger:''' Progress report, please.
-->'''Tom:''' We have replaced four units, and have their data, ready for uploading.
-->'''Digger:''' Proceed.
Into a rectangular plastic device, on which is mounted a large diamond, Tom plugs each virtual pet.
Beneath the chair, a mouse stirs by Kate’s shoe.
-->'''Isabel:''' A fifth unit will be replaced and collected tonight.
-->'''Digger:''' You have done well. But this is only the beginning. We must increase the collection rate. In time, we will replace every unit on the Earth with one of our own, and their data will be uploaded into our stellar network, to be dissected, and used as we see fit.
Kate feels the mouse scratching at her shoe. She gasps. The Replicas swivel round. Kate hides behind a box. Isabel looks.
-->'''Isabel:''' It was a mouse.
-->'''Tom:''' Base is secure.
-->'''Digger:''' Then I will return control to you, until the upload is complete.
Tom enters a code. To the others, he gives more Diggers.
-->'''Tom:''' Give these Diggers to the new units, and stay with them until they’ve been collected. I expect Kate to be one of them.
-->'''Isabel:''' Don’t worry.
They all leave
Kate approaches the computer, on whose screen remains the Digger website. She then notices, upon the plastic rectangular device, each installed Digger. On each tiny screen is a digitally displayed image of each of those who just left. They each gesture desperately. Their tiny voices become audible.
-->'''Kate:''' What are they, aliens?
-->'''Isabel:''' I don’t know, but you’ve gotta do something, or we’re history!
-->'''Tom:''' The power! Throw the power!
Kate tries to do switch off the monitor screen, but a tiny electric shock stops her.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in four and a half minutes.
-->'''Tom:''' The computer gave up control. Maybe you can shut it down.
-->'''Kate:''' Are you warped? I’ve never even touched a computer before.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate, get over it.
Kate nervously sits at the computer.
-->'''Kate:''' Okay… what do I do first?
-->'''Tom:''' Grab the mouse.
-->'''Kate:''' The mouse?
She looks around.
-->'''Isabel:''' Kate!
-->'''Kate:''' … Oh, yeah.
-->'''Tom:''' Click on the icon at the bottom of the screen, and choose “shut down”.
A box pops up to demand a security code.
Isabel suggests hitting both "control" and 'delete' at once.
Tom directs her to open the operating system.
-->'''Tom:''' Okay… type 'directory' then 'enter.'
With limited typing experience, Kate types slowly…
-->'''Tom:''' Type 'del, space Digger Preferences, space exit,' and enter.\
The blue website screen returns.
-->'''Kate:''' Oh, no! Digger’s back.
-->'''Tom:''' No, that’s good! Hit "control - delete" again.
A warning pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning - pressing Control-Delete again will terminate will terminate the application DIGGER'.
-->'''Tom:''' Hit it, then hit 'shut down'.
The screen darkens - and the Digger website returns.
→’’’Digger:’’’ Upload in one and a half minutes.
-->'''Kate:''' Wait… what was that you told me about crashing a computer?
-->'''Tom:''' That’s it! We can upload everything at once, and overload it’s resources.
He directs her to open several programmes at once.
A box pops up.
-->'''Kate:''' 'Warning: low memory. Close all applications'!
-->'''Tom:''' Hit 'enter' and we’re outta here!
As Kate prepares to do so, a hand grabs her wrist, and pulls her to her feet.
-->'''Replica Isabel:''' Now… it’s your turn.\
She aims her virtual pet. Its screen beams a purple glow…
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in fifteen seconds.
-->'''Real Isabel:''' Kate, don’t look at it!
Kate screws her eyes shut, shoves past Replica Isabel, hurries to the keyboard, and presses “enter.”
....but the computer remains un-crashed.
-->'''Digger:''' Upload in ten… nine… \
At the rectangular device, Kate pulls desperately at the virtual pets.
-->'''Digger:''' Commence upload.\
Kate and Replica Isabel struggle across the room.
From the diamond mounted on the plastic rectangle, a purple beam of digital information streaks across the room into the computer screen. The other Replicas then arrive.
From the wall, Kate takes a mirror - and uses it to deflect the digital beam into the computer screen. From the mirror, several beams bombard the glass.
An electronic whine fills the air. The Replicas cover their ears.
From within the computer monitor, a small explosion shatters the screen.
The Replicas freeze in their respective positions. Each replicated body is wiped by a brilliant purple glow. When it fades, they fall to the floor.
Kate surveys the smoking monitor.
-->'''Kate:''' Now that’s a computer crash.\
She briefly panics at the similarly wrecked virtual pets - but is assured by Isabel that all is well. Kate finds no tattoo on Isabel’s neck, and is reassured.
Thrilled by her life-or-death contest, Kate announces herself a recent convert to the world of computers.
Tom surveys the smoking remains of the computer.
-->'''Tom:''' My mom's gonna kill me.\
He leaves with the others.
-->'''Digger:''' ...Feed me.\
''Beneath the desk lies a spare, intact virtual pet''...
Isabel’s shoe then crushes it.
-->'''Isabel:''' On second thought, my pencil works just fine.\
Vange closes with a warning not to underestimate computers. Megan’s pager beeps again. She inspects it, gasps in shock, drops the device on the sofa, and flees. Andy and Tucker read the tiny digital message, and hurry off. Vange reads it: "FEED ME".
-->'''Quinn:''' It took me an hour to figure out how to do that…
-->'''Vange:''' Always wanted one of these…
!!This episode provides examples of:
*AlienInvasion: A speculated origin of the Diggers.
*AssimilationPlot: The sapient website Digger aims to convert human bodies to digital information, and store them in cyberspace for dissection.
*ChekhovsGun: In the clothes shop, Kate pulls Isabel away from her virtual pet to behold a marvel achieved through the simpler method of combined mirrors: a view into infinity. Later, having failed to stop Digger by crashing the computer, Kate simply [[spoiler: uses a handy bedroom mirror to deflect the computer’s fork of digital lightning, causing it to overload]].
*{{Cyberspace:}} The virtual pets convert their users into digital information, which is then stored on the device’s tiny screen, in a digitised image of the person.
*DataCrystal: Tom plugs the virtual pets into a rectangular relay device, atop which is mounted a large crystal, which beams data in digital pink beams.
*HypocrticalHumour: Vange warns against over-reliance on technology - then nabs Megan’s discarded pager for herself.
*LightIsNotGood: The bright blue Digger website, with its jolly cartoon dog, implies a fun-filled quest for “digging up” information. It really wants to trap everyone in cyberspace.
*ThePrankster: In classic Midnight Society tradition, Vange and Quinn alarm the others with implication of the threat depicted in tonight’s story to be real - she and Quinn have secretly arranged Megan’s pager to display the virtual pets’ message of "feed me."
*RockBeatsLaser: Having earlier noted wonder to be found in the simple combination of lightwaves and glass, Kate, having failed to crash the computer, [[spoiler: deflects its fantastically advanced fork of digital lightning with a mirror]].
*VirtualPets: A fictional interpretation; these virtual pets channel a sentient website, convert their owners into pixels, and imprison them in cyberspace.
