James: Come on… they're still our friends. Especially Ducce. We have to meet up at least once.
Vanzz: I know why you're saying this, but trust me… it's not worth it.
James: I don't know what you're on about… (defensive)
Vanzz: Stop pretending. Even if you could change something… why do it? Knowing she never loved you.
James: Vanzz, you're crossing a line here.
Vanzz: Sorry, man… but James, seriously, don't do this. My gut is screaming no.
James: It's just a vacation. Look, I need this. I need a distraction from reality. I know it's cowardly, but it's consuming me.
Vanzz: I'll always be here for you, James… but I've got a really bad feeling about this. We could always go somewhere else, a different place for a vacation.
James: (nervous, hesitant) I need to meet with Ducce and Joel. I miss them. Leazing… it's a wonderful place. Besides, Ducce and Joel… they've got all the money we need to have a good time.
Vanzz: Hmm… I'd have agreed, but my gut… I just think it's better to listen.
James: Come on… what could possibly go wrong? We're not taking part in any risky stuff, and I promise we will be back in a couple of days, we won't get dragged into their mess.
Vanzz: Alright… fine. I'm doing this just for you. We'll return in a few days, alright?
James: Sure… forever grateful for a friend like you.
Vanzz: (laughs) You should be, James.
(Leazing, Zuracc)
Joel: I heard Vanzz and James are coming over… (nervous look, he fears Ducce will tell them about the whole situation involving Thea)
Me: Yeah… don't worry. This is between us.
Joel: Sure… I'm going out. Want anything?
Me: Nah.
Joel: Alright.
(Duracc – James' family)
James: I'll be back soon, mom, dad. Don't worry, I'll bring souvenirs from Leazing.
James Mom: Take care of yourself, my boy. Don't forget your meals and stay away from substances.
James Dad: That's right. Also… bring me that famous rice beer from Leazing.
James Mom: (hits her husband playfully) You little punk. No wonder he's turning out this way. He used to be such a cute, innocent, obedient boy… and now he's running off for… what? A vacation with the girl you're always talking about?
James: No, mom. It's just a reunion with friends… and forget about that girl.
James Mom: What do you mean? Did you two fight? Go apologize!
James: Alright, alright… I'm out. Take care of granny, you heard me Alisha, keep her company.
Alisha: Sure, whatever.
James: Granny… I'll bring back something you like. Maybe a dozen of that expensive drink, your favorite.
Granny: (smiles, rubs his arm; mute but expressive)
James Dad: And how will you get the money? If you really have it… bring a truckload of Leazing rice beer.
James: The money, my friends are gonna cover the cost (nervous chuckling)
James Dad: ehh? That's embarassing, i can give you money for the trip though w don't have much…
James: no it's alright, my friend just won a lottery so it's his treat
James dad: (suspicious) hmm whatever just bring me the rice beer
James Mom: You're gonna miss your flight now, James.
James: Sure dad, bye mom, dad, Alisha, granny, I am gonna bring souvenirs or y'all, love you guys
They wave bye with a smile on their face
(Vanzz' house)
Vanzz: I'm going, mom.
Vanzz Mom: (smoking, looking at the floor, unresponsive) Mmmm…sure
Vanzz: Alright mom take care, and tell dad not to worry
Vanzz Mom:....(Silence, nodding)
James and Vanzz reached the airport and boarded their flight. The air between them was heavy, a silence that felt louder than words. Vanzz's gut twisted with unease; every instinct told him to cancel the trip before it began. James, on the other hand, was drowning in heartbreak, his mind trapped in endless loops of betrayal and regret. He leaned against the window, eyes half-shut, consumed by exhaustion. Most of the flight passed in silence, broken only by Vanzz's hesitant attempts at conversation, which James brushed aside.
At one point, Vanzz muttered, "Maybe we should go back while we can."
But James shook his head without looking up. "We've come too far to turn around now."
And that was the end of it.
When they landed in Leazing, the atmosphere felt no lighter. They called me, I arrived shortly after in a brand-new, expensive car. Its polished shine and roaring engine caught their attention, but the ride itself was far from exhilarating. Casual remarks dissolved into awkward silences. Ducce eventually cranked up the music to drown the tension that hung in the air.
Back at my place, they noticed Joel was absent. Neither James nor Vanzz asked why. It was as if his absence had already been expected. That evening, we went out for dinner at a refined restaurant, white tablecloths, chandeliers, a panoramic view of the city lights. The food was exquisite, the kind we had only seen in glossy magazines. Yet as we sat there, cutting into perfectly cooked dishes, none of it felt as good as the times they shared greasy burgers and cheap sodas back in Duracc. The luxury tasted hollow.
James: So… any progress in your mission?
Me: Not really. But we've acquired enough resources to carry out the operation effectively.
James: Hmm… so what's the plan?
Me: We haven't finalized one yet. Things aren't going the way we hoped.
Vanzz: Wasn't this supposed to be a reunion? A vacation? A chance for James to heal, not another obsession with your schemes?
James: (forcing a weak smile) Don't worry,
Vanzz. I was just curious.
Me: (leaning forward) You know, James, if we can influence this whole simulation, we could shape the world into whatever we want. A place where everyone gets equal opportunities. Where justice prevails. Where karma is real. Imagine it, our will bending reality itself.
Vanzz: (shaking his head) Shut up, Ducce. We're not taking part in this madness. We're here to breathe, not destroy ourselves.
James sat silently, his eyes fixed on the glass in front of him, mind caught between curiosity and fear.
James: …But how do you know it would even work? What guarantees that overwhelming the simulation will let us control it?
Me: There's no guarantee. But think about it: our powers, the cracks we've seen, or to be precise the cracks me and Joel had witnessed, they're proof this world isn't stable. Our real bodies are likely suspended somewhere safe, our minds plugged into this virtual construct. This is the only way we can logically prove our subjective experience, since consciousness cannot be replicated as far as I am aware, so it must be transferred. If that's true, then why not push? What's the worst that could happen? We wake up?
Vanzz: Or we die. You ever think of that? If this world collapses, maybe we collapse with it.
At that moment, Joel appeared, sliding casually into the restaurant like he had been waiting for his cue. His presence instantly shifted the air.
Joel: Hey, what's up, guys. Figured Ducce would drag you here. And so what if it crumbles? What if we die? So what?