McTurk, we're thrilled that you have chosen Virtual Horizons to introduce you to the wonders of the Network,” Virtual Horizons’ tour guide, Ms. Dak, said when Felix showed up for the tour his mystery client had booked for him. “Have you ever flown before?” “Only the friendly skies.” “Friendly skies?” “An old advertising slogan,” Felix explained. “Before your time, I guess.” Dak smiled. “Well, I'm certain I would have laughed if I had understood the reference.” Felix suddenly felt old. He figured Dak for about twenty-one. With her perfect teeth, bottle tan, muscles shaped by machines, and form-hugging clothes, she was typical of the new executive class. As fresh and bright as the new century itself. “Is this tour for business or pleasure?” she asked. “Pure pleasure,” Felix said. She escorted him into a waiting area filled with other tourists, many of them actual tourists visiting New York City—some thirty people from obscure nation states in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East where accessing the Virtual Network was still a dream.
