The Clouded Quest for Virtual Happiness

The light in the room was dim. The air was stagnant and heavy. The walls were covered with a layer of dust that was so fine, that it looked like a thin film over the paint.

Mikesh sat down on the floor, resting his back against the wall. He closed his eyes for a moment. The heat of the day had faded now, but still he felt tired and worn out. Again, he ran his hands through his hair, as he often did when deep in thought or upset. He sighed loudly, opening his eyes and looking up at the wooden beams of the ceiling above him. His gaze lingered on a cobweb that hung from one of them before moving to the door behind him.

The first few days after Nilesh left had been hard for Mikesh, but now he just felt numb. He never really understood Nilesh’s grand vision - to create a virtual world where humanity could live without want or fear - but he knew they were kindred spirits. They had bonded over their love of theory and philosophy, but now Nilesh was gone, and Mikesh was alone again.

He heard footsteps outside the door behind him and stood up quickly from where he had been sitting on the floor. A few seconds later, Ajit walked into the room, followed by two other men dressed in white shirts and black trousers who carried a large wooden crate between them.

“Hello Mikesh” said Ajit as he walked up to him “I suppose you are wondering why we are here?”

Mikesh nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on the crate that had just been placed on top of a table in the middle of the room.

“Well you see, I have good news and bad news - which do you want to hear first?” Ajit asked with an impish grin on his face but Mikesh did not smile back. He simply shrugged his shoulders in reply as he watched one of the men put a key into a lock on one side of the crate and open it up.

Ajit chuckled quietly to himself “Oh well then I suppose we might as well start with some music!” He clapped his hands together once and waved them at one of his assistants who retrieved a small tablet from one of their bags before placing it down on top of the wooden crate in front of him. Within seconds there was loud music playing in the room - loud enough to be heard all over campus no doubt!

Ajit turned around to look at Mikesh who still seemed unimpressed by what Ajit was doing. In fact if Mikesh were being honest with himself he would have said that all this hoopla was downright annoying! “You know I think you will like this Mikesh! It is your kind of music after all! You listen to this all day right?” Ajit asked sarcastically clapping his hands together yet again - clearly enjoying himself immensely at Mikesh's expense!

Mikesh rolled his eyes before asking Ajit what was going on as politely as possible under these circumstances! "Look Ajit I don't mean to be rude but can I please get an explanation here? Why did you bring me here?" Mikesh asked exasperatedly "And can you turn off that music?" He added gesturing towards where the music was playing from with both hands!

"Wait wait wait!" Ajit said holding up both his hands before walking over towards where one of his assistants stood next to some papers which looked like blueprints for something "I'll explain everything!" He said once more smiling broadly at Mikesh who returned his smile with an exasperated look in return "But let's make ourselves comfortable first shall we? We have got plenty of time." With that Ajit took a seat opposite where Mikesh stood watching him expectantly "Why don't you sit down too?" Ajit asked pointing towards an empty chair next to him "I'll tell you everything but first answer me this - how many times do you think you've watched 'Virtually Yours'? Have you seen it more than five times?" Ajit asked leaning forward while reaching over to pick up a glass filled with water from the table beside him before taking several sips from it while waiting for Mikesh's response!