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* DigitalHorror: A teenager enters a VR simulation as part of an experiment, and a sapient computer virus begins to hound him through the simulation, intending to download himself into the boy's brain.
Changed line(s) 74 (click to see context) from:
* SlasherSmile: The Virus sports a vicious, gloating leer.
to:
* SlasherSmile: The Virus sports a vicious, gloating leer.leer.
----
----
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Shortening my recaps.
Changed line(s) 3,30 (click to see context) from:
Gary is late, having had to redo his homework and borrow a virus doctor for his computer. With a suspicious glance at Tucker, he vows to find the culprit. A virus, he says, jumps around in search of data to control and corrupt. What if it got into the most personal computer of all: the human brain? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls his story “The Tale of the Renegade Virus.”
After hours, Evan Lewis sits in a darkened classroom. On a school computer, he presses buttons to ominous effect…
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school. Outside on the driveway, he sneakily intercepts Evan’s bike, and rides off.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe. For extra revenge, he’s also switched the locks for their lockers.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, who smirks. As they walk off, Evan manages to open his locker, which spills several items onto the floor. Evan grumpily ponders the universal acclaim of his brother.
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers to Simon a promise of revenge.
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble. Evan tells him to forget it, and excitedly announces science teacher Mr Poe to have finished working on his homemade computer game. Simon bids farewell to Sonya, and the two brothers rush off.
In Mr Poe’s office, their arrival triggers a sound activated alarm. Mr Poe arrives, explains his need to guard against industrial spies, and excitedly directs the boys to his computer. Simon recommends computer whizz Evan goes first. This game, enthuses Mr Poe, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He directs Simon to a reclining leather chair.
Having made a breakthrough that surpasses any known virtual reality programme, Mr Poe places a visored helmet onto Simon’s head, and explains the player’s neuron impulses to react to the microwave energy… well, he’ll know what to do.
Just then, the phone rings. An intercom announces a call from the President. Mr Poe delays the correspondence, and confides to the boys his aversion to government work - too much paperwork. On the computer screen, he presents to Simon a selection of illustrated scenario options: a voyage to Saturn, Arthurian knighthood, or dinosaurs.
Simon decides to become a knight. With a grin, Mr Poe loads the programme, directs Evan to monitor, and goes to take his call.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
Simon lowers the visor, and Mr Poe starts the programme. Simon suddenly perceives himself to be standing and rapidly spinning. With a shocked yell, he then finds himself back in bed, with the alarm clock buzzing for half past seven. He supposes the affair to have been a dream, and flings a small, soft ball to his bedroom basketball hoop. With a crash, the ball breaks the window.
Astonished, Simon sits up. He dresses, and steps onto the landing, with no sight or sound of his family.
After hours, Evan Lewis sits in a darkened classroom. On a school computer, he presses buttons to ominous effect…
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school. Outside on the driveway, he sneakily intercepts Evan’s bike, and rides off.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe. For extra revenge, he’s also switched the locks for their lockers.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, who smirks. As they walk off, Evan manages to open his locker, which spills several items onto the floor. Evan grumpily ponders the universal acclaim of his brother.
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers to Simon a promise of revenge.
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble. Evan tells him to forget it, and excitedly announces science teacher Mr Poe to have finished working on his homemade computer game. Simon bids farewell to Sonya, and the two brothers rush off.
In Mr Poe’s office, their arrival triggers a sound activated alarm. Mr Poe arrives, explains his need to guard against industrial spies, and excitedly directs the boys to his computer. Simon recommends computer whizz Evan goes first. This game, enthuses Mr Poe, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He directs Simon to a reclining leather chair.
Having made a breakthrough that surpasses any known virtual reality programme, Mr Poe places a visored helmet onto Simon’s head, and explains the player’s neuron impulses to react to the microwave energy… well, he’ll know what to do.
Just then, the phone rings. An intercom announces a call from the President. Mr Poe delays the correspondence, and confides to the boys his aversion to government work - too much paperwork. On the computer screen, he presents to Simon a selection of illustrated scenario options: a voyage to Saturn, Arthurian knighthood, or dinosaurs.
Simon decides to become a knight. With a grin, Mr Poe loads the programme, directs Evan to monitor, and goes to take his call.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
Simon lowers the visor, and Mr Poe starts the programme. Simon suddenly perceives himself to be standing and rapidly spinning. With a shocked yell, he then finds himself back in bed, with the alarm clock buzzing for half past seven. He supposes the affair to have been a dream, and flings a small, soft ball to his bedroom basketball hoop. With a crash, the ball breaks the window.
Astonished, Simon sits up. He dresses, and steps onto the landing, with no sight or sound of his family.
to:
Gary is late, having had to redo his homework and borrow a virus doctor for his computer. With a suspicious glance at Tucker, he vows to find the culprit. A virus, he says, jumps around in search of data to control and corrupt. What if it got into the most personal computer of all: the human brain? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls his story “The "The Tale of the Renegade Virus.”
"
----
After hours, in a darkened classroom, Evan Lewis sitsin a darkened classroom. On at a school computer, he presses buttons to ominous effect…
computer...
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school.Outside on the driveway, he In revenge for an egg left in his shoe, Simon sneakily intercepts Evan’s bike, and rides off.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe.bike. For extra revenge, he’s also switched the locks for their lockers.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, whosmirks. As they walk off, Evan manages to open his locker, which spills several items onto the floor. Evan grumpily ponders the universal acclaim of his brother.
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers tosmirks.
Later, Simona promise of revenge.
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble.apologises. Evan tells him to forget it, and excitedly announces science teacher Mr Poe to have finished working on his homemade computer game. Simon bids farewell to Sonya, and the two brothers rush off.\n\nIn Mr Poe’s office, their arrival triggers a sound activated alarm. Mr Poe arrives, explains his need to guard against industrial spies, and excitedly directs the boys to his computer. Simon recommends computer whizz Evan goes first. This game, enthuses Mr Poe, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He directs Simon to a reclining leather chair.\n\nHaving made a breakthrough that surpasses any known virtual reality programme, Mr Poe places a visored helmet onto Simon’s head, and explains the player’s neuron impulses to react to the microwave energy… well, he’ll know what to do.
Just then, the phone rings. An intercom announces a call from the President. In his office, Mr Poe delays the correspondence, and confides to excitedly directs the boys to his aversion to government work - too much paperwork.computer. This game, he enthuses, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He places a visored helmet onto Simon's head. On the computer screen, he presents to Simon a selection of illustrated scenario options: a voyage to Saturn, Arthurian knighthood, or dinosaurs.
Simon decides to become a knight.With a grin, Mr Poe loads the programme, directs Evan to monitor, and goes to take his call.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
SimonHe lowers the visor, and Mr Poe starts the programme. Simon suddenly perceives himself to be standing and rapidly spinning. With a shocked yell, he then finds himself back in bed, with the alarm clock buzzing for half past seven. He supposes the affair to have been a dream, and flings a small, soft ball to his bedroom basketball hoop. With a crash, the ball breaks the window. \n\nAstonished, Simon sits up. He dresses, and steps onto the landing, with no sight or sound of his family.
----
After hours, in a darkened classroom, Evan Lewis sits
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, who
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers to
Later, Simon
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble.
Simon decides to become a knight.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
Simon
Changed line(s) 33,36 (click to see context) from:
His mother’s voice then calls him from upstairs. As he climbs to the landing, the voice of Mrs Lewis summons him to his bedroom, and is revealed to be issuing from his radio alarm clock. He unplugs it, but it continues to repeat an instruction not to be late for school.
On the landing, Evan’s bike independently rides across the floor. The voice of Mr Lewis then calls Simon to his father’s study. Simon opens the door. He approaches the backwards-facing swivel chair. His father’s voice brightly greets him, and the chair swings around.
On the landing, Evan’s bike independently rides across the floor. The voice of Mr Lewis then calls Simon to his father’s study. Simon opens the door. He approaches the backwards-facing swivel chair. His father’s voice brightly greets him, and the chair swings around.
to:
Changed line(s) 39,42 (click to see context) from:
The figure introduces himself as a computer virus. He explains Simon still to be in the game, which the Virus has now corrupted. At the desk’s computer, the Virus frantically types, with a view to destruction on a grander scale than that of most computer viruses: once he gets out of the game, he’ll invade Simon’s brain.
He tells a defiantly incredulous Simon to look at his own hand. Simon sees the skin of his palm to be blistered, and impregnated with a plastic socket. The Virus turns around the computer monitor, which counts ten minutes to the start of the new programme. He mockingly wishes Simon luck, and sends him spinning back to Mr Poe’s office.
He tells a defiantly incredulous Simon to look at his own hand. Simon sees the skin of his palm to be blistered, and impregnated with a plastic socket. The Virus turns around the computer monitor, which counts ten minutes to the start of the new programme. He mockingly wishes Simon luck, and sends him spinning back to Mr Poe’s office.
to:
The figure introduces himself as a computer virus. He Computer Virus explains Simon still to be in the game, which the Virus has now corrupted. At the desk’s computer, the Virus frantically types, with a view to destruction on a grander scale than that of most computer viruses: once he gets out of the game, he’ll invade Simon’s brain.
He tells a defiantly incredulous Simon to look at his own hand. Simon sees the The skin of his Simon's palm to be is blistered, and impregnated with a plastic socket. The Virus turns around the computer monitor, which counts ten minutes to the start of the new programme. He mockingly wishes Simon luck, and sends him spinning back to Mr Poe’s office.
Deleted line(s) 45,46 (click to see context) :
Simon finds the school gate to be chained. On the other side, standing with Sonya, Evan mocks Simon’s predicament. As they walk off, Simon looks at his palm, which remains blistered and augmented: he’s still in the game.
Changed line(s) 51,80 (click to see context) from:
Simon suggests four - and finds himself stood in only his underwear. From the scornful laughter, he runs back to the corridor, and finds himself once more fully dressed. Seated atop a display, the Virus gloatingly announces Simon to have five minutes left.
Outside, Simon finds Evan’s bike to be immobilised by an enormous padlock. Back in the simulation of his dad’s study, he approaches the computer. On its monitor appears the face of Evan. Simon fretfully reports the game to have gone berserk. Evan gloats to have planted a virus, and mockingly supposes ultra-capable Simon’s ability to get himself out.
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing. In exchange for Simon’s release, he demands apology.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into the hall.
Evan reassures Simon that the homemade virus won’t harm Simon, who displays his augmented palm.
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
A suddenly very worried Evan tries to enter the abort code, but has been frozen out. Simon can abort from within the game, but needs the code.
The Virus nears the study door…
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers his combination-switching prank.
The chair slides away from the door, which falls. Before a backdrop of mist and an eerie blue glow, the Virus struts in.
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key. He reclines, and gives the Virus a smirk.
Just then, wires fly into place around Simon, binding him to the chair.
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leans forward…
In desperation, Simon lunges forth, and presses a key. With a yell of despair, the Virus fades in a blaze of pixels.
Outside, Simon finds Evan’s bike to be immobilised by an enormous padlock. Back in the simulation of his dad’s study, he approaches the computer. On its monitor appears the face of Evan. Simon fretfully reports the game to have gone berserk. Evan gloats to have planted a virus, and mockingly supposes ultra-capable Simon’s ability to get himself out.
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing. In exchange for Simon’s release, he demands apology.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into the hall.
Evan reassures Simon that the homemade virus won’t harm Simon, who displays his augmented palm.
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
A suddenly very worried Evan tries to enter the abort code, but has been frozen out. Simon can abort from within the game, but needs the code.
The Virus nears the study door…
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers his combination-switching prank.
The chair slides away from the door, which falls. Before a backdrop of mist and an eerie blue glow, the Virus struts in.
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key. He reclines, and gives the Virus a smirk.
Just then, wires fly into place around Simon, binding him to the chair.
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leans forward…
In desperation, Simon lunges forth, and presses a key. With a yell of despair, the Virus fades in a blaze of pixels.
to:
Simon suggests four - and finds himself stood in only his underwear. From the scornful laughter, he runs back to the corridor, and finds himself once more fully dressed. Seated atop a display, the Virus gloatingly announces Simon to have five minutes left.
left. Outside, Simon finds Evan’s bike to be immobilised by an enormous padlock. padlock.
Back in the simulation of his dad’s study,he approaches the computer. On its monitor appears computer displays the face of Evan. Simon fretfully reports the game to have gone berserk. Evan gloats Evan, who gloatingly claims to have planted a virus, and mockingly supposes ultra-capable Simon’s ability to get himself out.
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing.virus. In exchange for Simon’s release, he demands apology.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into thehall.
Evan reassureshall...
Simonthat the homemade virus won’t harm Simon, who displays shows his augmented palm.
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
palm. A suddenly very worried Evan tries to enter the abort code, but has been frozen out. Simon can abort from within the game, but needs the code.
The Virus nears the studydoor…
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.door...
Evan's face suddenly vanishes.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers hiscombination-switching locker prank.
Thechair slides away from the door, which falls. Before a backdrop of mist and an eerie blue glow, the Virus door opens. In struts in.
the Virus.
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key.He reclines, and gives the Virus a smirk.
Just then,Around him, wires fly into place around Simon, place, binding him to the chair.
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leansforward…
forward. In desperation, Simon lunges forth, and presses a key. With a yell of despair, the Virus fades in a blaze of pixels.
Back in the simulation of his dad’s study,
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into the
Evan reassures
Simon
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
The Virus nears the study
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.
Evan's face suddenly vanishes.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers his
The
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key.
Just then,
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leans
Changed line(s) 83,84 (click to see context) from:
Probably just an accident, says Simon. In the corridors, the brothers make peace - but Simon still claims use of Evan’s bike. As they run, a cleaner wheels his bucket across the corridor. From inside reaches a black-gloved hand…
to:
Deleted line(s) 86 (click to see context) :
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Deleted line(s) 97 (click to see context) :
* IdiotPlot: Right before Poe is about to turn on the virtual reality machine the computer ''warns him there is a virus, complete with a skull and alarm noises''. Despite this, he just says "there's no need for that" and [[LethallyStupid turns it on anyway.]]
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Added DiffLines:
* IdiotPlot: Right before Poe is about to turn on the virtual reality machine the computer ''warns him there is a virus, complete with a skull and alarm noises''. Despite this, he just says "there's no need for that" and [[LethallyStupid turns it on anyway.]]
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* GenkiGuy: The Virus is maniacally excitable.
Deleted line(s) 96 (click to see context) :
* {{Keet}}: The Virus is maniacally excitable.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Per Example Indentation In Trope Lists, a single bullet at any level other than first level is incorrect.
Deleted line(s) 88 (click to see context) :
Changed line(s) 90 (click to see context) from:
* BodyHorror: The Virus’s brain is visible.
to:
* BodyHorror: BodyHorror:
** The Virus’s brain is visible.
** The Virus’s brain is visible.
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Added DiffLines:
* NotWearingPantsDream: Not technically a dream, but in the bad simulation there's a scene where the teacher asks what 2+2 equals. A bunch of students give various wrong answers, only for the teacher to say they are all correct. When he calls on Simon, he timidly responds with "4?", at which point the teacher says "and what formula did you use to come to that answer?", at which point we zoom out and see that Simon is in his underpants and all the other students laugh at him.
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Deleted line(s) 90 (click to see context) :
* {{Adorkable}}: Mr Poe, with his giddy delight in his creation.
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Changed line(s) 93 (click to see context) from:
* CallBack: In Simon’s exploration of his ominously empty house, the incidental score recalls that used for a comparable scene in [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason1TheTaleOfTheSuperSpecs The Tale of the Super Specs]].
to:
* CallBack: In Simon’s exploration of his ominously empty house, the incidental score recalls that used for a comparable scene in [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason1TheTaleOfTheSuperSpecs "[[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason1TheTaleOfTheSuperSpecs The Tale of the Super Specs]].Specs]]".
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Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/screenshot_2020_06_29_at_054118_6.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"I'm going to enjoy being inside your brain!"]]
Gary is late, having had to redo his homework and borrow a virus doctor for his computer. With a suspicious glance at Tucker, he vows to find the culprit. A virus, he says, jumps around in search of data to control and corrupt. What if it got into the most personal computer of all: the human brain? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls his story “The Tale of the Renegade Virus.”
After hours, Evan Lewis sits in a darkened classroom. On a school computer, he presses buttons to ominous effect…
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school. Outside on the driveway, he sneakily intercepts Evan’s bike, and rides off.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe. For extra revenge, he’s also switched the locks for their lockers.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, who smirks. As they walk off, Evan manages to open his locker, which spills several items onto the floor. Evan grumpily ponders the universal acclaim of his brother.
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers to Simon a promise of revenge.
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble. Evan tells him to forget it, and excitedly announces science teacher Mr Poe to have finished working on his homemade computer game. Simon bids farewell to Sonya, and the two brothers rush off.
In Mr Poe’s office, their arrival triggers a sound activated alarm. Mr Poe arrives, explains his need to guard against industrial spies, and excitedly directs the boys to his computer. Simon recommends computer whizz Evan goes first. This game, enthuses Mr Poe, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He directs Simon to a reclining leather chair.
Having made a breakthrough that surpasses any known virtual reality programme, Mr Poe places a visored helmet onto Simon’s head, and explains the player’s neuron impulses to react to the microwave energy… well, he’ll know what to do.
Just then, the phone rings. An intercom announces a call from the President. Mr Poe delays the correspondence, and confides to the boys his aversion to government work - too much paperwork. On the computer screen, he presents to Simon a selection of illustrated scenario options: a voyage to Saturn, Arthurian knighthood, or dinosaurs.
Simon decides to become a knight. With a grin, Mr Poe loads the programme, directs Evan to monitor, and goes to take his call.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
Simon lowers the visor, and Mr Poe starts the programme. Simon suddenly perceives himself to be standing and rapidly spinning. With a shocked yell, he then finds himself back in bed, with the alarm clock buzzing for half past seven. He supposes the affair to have been a dream, and flings a small, soft ball to his bedroom basketball hoop. With a crash, the ball breaks the window.
Astonished, Simon sits up. He dresses, and steps onto the landing, with no sight or sound of his family.
Downstairs, with the breakfast table fully laid, no one is in sight. Suddenly, the echoing, disembodied voices of his family are heard to ponder his absence. At the table, in a blur of airborne pixels, respective images of his parents and sister blur and fade from view.
His mother’s voice then calls him from upstairs. As he climbs to the landing, the voice of Mrs Lewis summons him to his bedroom, and is revealed to be issuing from his radio alarm clock. He unplugs it, but it continues to repeat an instruction not to be late for school.
On the landing, Evan’s bike independently rides across the floor. The voice of Mr Lewis then calls Simon to his father’s study. Simon opens the door. He approaches the backwards-facing swivel chair. His father’s voice brightly greets him, and the chair swings around.
In it, in place of Mr Lewis, sits a man dressed in a black, hardware-adorned jumpsuit. His metallically silver skin, huge, exposed brain, red-rimmed eyes and mechanically hissing voice give Simon quite a fright.
The figure introduces himself as a computer virus. He explains Simon still to be in the game, which the Virus has now corrupted. At the desk’s computer, the Virus frantically types, with a view to destruction on a grander scale than that of most computer viruses: once he gets out of the game, he’ll invade Simon’s brain.
He tells a defiantly incredulous Simon to look at his own hand. Simon sees the skin of his palm to be blistered, and impregnated with a plastic socket. The Virus turns around the computer monitor, which counts ten minutes to the start of the new programme. He mockingly wishes Simon luck, and sends him spinning back to Mr Poe’s office.
Mr Poe excitedly asks how it was. Simon fretfully reports a virus. Mr Poe laughingly dismisses the idea. When Simon persists, Mr Poe angrily orders him out.
Simon finds the school gate to be chained. On the other side, standing with Sonya, Evan mocks Simon’s predicament. As they walk off, Simon looks at his palm, which remains blistered and augmented: he’s still in the game.
Outside Mr Poe’s office, Simon sees his own helmeted body, reclining in the chair, while Evan watches the monitor screen.
Simon then finds himself surrounded by a reverse procession of students, who, reverse-followed by Mr Smith, back into a classroom. When Simon approaches the doorway, Mr Smith, with a smile similar to that of the Virus, announces the most important test of Simon’s life, and quizzes the class as to the equation of two plus two. A boy suggests five. A girl then suggests six - six minutes left.
Simon suggests four - and finds himself stood in only his underwear. From the scornful laughter, he runs back to the corridor, and finds himself once more fully dressed. Seated atop a display, the Virus gloatingly announces Simon to have five minutes left.
Outside, Simon finds Evan’s bike to be immobilised by an enormous padlock. Back in the simulation of his dad’s study, he approaches the computer. On its monitor appears the face of Evan. Simon fretfully reports the game to have gone berserk. Evan gloats to have planted a virus, and mockingly supposes ultra-capable Simon’s ability to get himself out.
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing. In exchange for Simon’s release, he demands apology.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into the hall.
Evan reassures Simon that the homemade virus won’t harm Simon, who displays his augmented palm.
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
A suddenly very worried Evan tries to enter the abort code, but has been frozen out. Simon can abort from within the game, but needs the code.
The Virus nears the study door…
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers his combination-switching prank.
The chair slides away from the door, which falls. Before a backdrop of mist and an eerie blue glow, the Virus struts in.
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key. He reclines, and gives the Virus a smirk.
Just then, wires fly into place around Simon, binding him to the chair.
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leans forward…
In desperation, Simon lunges forth, and presses a key. With a yell of despair, the Virus fades in a blaze of pixels.
Back in Mr Poe’s office, Mr Poe worriedly asks if Simon is alright. He can’t see how a virus could have gotten in there…
Probably just an accident, says Simon. In the corridors, the brothers make peace - but Simon still claims use of Evan’s bike. As they run, a cleaner wheels his bucket across the corridor. From inside reaches a black-gloved hand…
Tucker stresses his appreciation for the story’s message of brotherly leniency. Gary, however, enjoyed how the Virus survived - and its next target might just be Tucker’s computer!
!!This episode provides examples of:
*TheAce: Simon is renowned for general excellence.
*{{Adorkable}}: Mr Poe, with his giddy delight in his creation.
*BodyHorror: The Virus’s brain is visible.
** The plastic socket instantaneously embedded in Simon’s palm.
*CallBack: In Simon’s exploration of his ominously empty house, the incidental score recalls that used for a comparable scene in [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason1TheTaleOfTheSuperSpecs The Tale of the Super Specs]].
*EvilGloating: The Virus revels in reminding Simon of his impending doom.
*EvilLaugh: The maniacal guffaw of the Virus.
*IronicNickname: The Virus mocks Simon’s intellect by addressing him as [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein Einstein]].
*{{Keet}}: The Virus is maniacally excitable.
*OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The digital version of Mr Poe, initially indistinguishable from the real thing, on Simon’s suggestion of a malfunction in the computer, angrily orders him out.
*SciFiHorror: On connection to a virtual reality simulator, Simon’s brain is hijacked by a suddenly sapient computer virus.
*SiblingRivalry: Of a relatively friendly sort; while on playful terms, Simon and Evan keenly pursue one-upmanship, often in the form of [[ThePrankster pranks]]. While Evan gloats over Simon’s confounding by the Virus, a hint of his brother to be in danger instantly persuades him to help.
*SlasherSmile: The Virus sports a vicious, gloating leer.
[[caption-width-right:350:"I'm going to enjoy being inside your brain!"]]
Gary is late, having had to redo his homework and borrow a virus doctor for his computer. With a suspicious glance at Tucker, he vows to find the culprit. A virus, he says, jumps around in search of data to control and corrupt. What if it got into the most personal computer of all: the human brain? Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society, he calls his story “The Tale of the Renegade Virus.”
After hours, Evan Lewis sits in a darkened classroom. On a school computer, he presses buttons to ominous effect…
Next morning, his twin brother Simon and younger sister Suzanne get ready for school. Outside on the driveway, he sneakily intercepts Evan’s bike, and rides off.
Out of breath, Evan reaches his locker, and bemoans Simon’s trick. Simon cites the egg Evan yesterday left in his shoe. For extra revenge, he’s also switched the locks for their lockers.
As Evan fumbles with his locker, Sonya arrives. Evan nervously begins to ask her to the game on Saturday. She’s already arranged to go with Simon, who smirks. As they walk off, Evan manages to open his locker, which spills several items onto the floor. Evan grumpily ponders the universal acclaim of his brother.
In class, admonished for lateness by Mr Smith, Evan whispers to Simon a promise of revenge.
In the bustling corridor, Simon apologises to Evan for getting him into trouble. Evan tells him to forget it, and excitedly announces science teacher Mr Poe to have finished working on his homemade computer game. Simon bids farewell to Sonya, and the two brothers rush off.
In Mr Poe’s office, their arrival triggers a sound activated alarm. Mr Poe arrives, explains his need to guard against industrial spies, and excitedly directs the boys to his computer. Simon recommends computer whizz Evan goes first. This game, enthuses Mr Poe, requires minimal knowledge of computers. He directs Simon to a reclining leather chair.
Having made a breakthrough that surpasses any known virtual reality programme, Mr Poe places a visored helmet onto Simon’s head, and explains the player’s neuron impulses to react to the microwave energy… well, he’ll know what to do.
Just then, the phone rings. An intercom announces a call from the President. Mr Poe delays the correspondence, and confides to the boys his aversion to government work - too much paperwork. On the computer screen, he presents to Simon a selection of illustrated scenario options: a voyage to Saturn, Arthurian knighthood, or dinosaurs.
Simon decides to become a knight. With a grin, Mr Poe loads the programme, directs Evan to monitor, and goes to take his call.
Suddenly, a siren accompanies a flashing warning sign, which mingles with a green skull and crossbones. Bemused, Mr Poe types nimbly. The siren fades, and the ominous sign is replaced with a smiley face.
Simon lowers the visor, and Mr Poe starts the programme. Simon suddenly perceives himself to be standing and rapidly spinning. With a shocked yell, he then finds himself back in bed, with the alarm clock buzzing for half past seven. He supposes the affair to have been a dream, and flings a small, soft ball to his bedroom basketball hoop. With a crash, the ball breaks the window.
Astonished, Simon sits up. He dresses, and steps onto the landing, with no sight or sound of his family.
Downstairs, with the breakfast table fully laid, no one is in sight. Suddenly, the echoing, disembodied voices of his family are heard to ponder his absence. At the table, in a blur of airborne pixels, respective images of his parents and sister blur and fade from view.
His mother’s voice then calls him from upstairs. As he climbs to the landing, the voice of Mrs Lewis summons him to his bedroom, and is revealed to be issuing from his radio alarm clock. He unplugs it, but it continues to repeat an instruction not to be late for school.
On the landing, Evan’s bike independently rides across the floor. The voice of Mr Lewis then calls Simon to his father’s study. Simon opens the door. He approaches the backwards-facing swivel chair. His father’s voice brightly greets him, and the chair swings around.
In it, in place of Mr Lewis, sits a man dressed in a black, hardware-adorned jumpsuit. His metallically silver skin, huge, exposed brain, red-rimmed eyes and mechanically hissing voice give Simon quite a fright.
The figure introduces himself as a computer virus. He explains Simon still to be in the game, which the Virus has now corrupted. At the desk’s computer, the Virus frantically types, with a view to destruction on a grander scale than that of most computer viruses: once he gets out of the game, he’ll invade Simon’s brain.
He tells a defiantly incredulous Simon to look at his own hand. Simon sees the skin of his palm to be blistered, and impregnated with a plastic socket. The Virus turns around the computer monitor, which counts ten minutes to the start of the new programme. He mockingly wishes Simon luck, and sends him spinning back to Mr Poe’s office.
Mr Poe excitedly asks how it was. Simon fretfully reports a virus. Mr Poe laughingly dismisses the idea. When Simon persists, Mr Poe angrily orders him out.
Simon finds the school gate to be chained. On the other side, standing with Sonya, Evan mocks Simon’s predicament. As they walk off, Simon looks at his palm, which remains blistered and augmented: he’s still in the game.
Outside Mr Poe’s office, Simon sees his own helmeted body, reclining in the chair, while Evan watches the monitor screen.
Simon then finds himself surrounded by a reverse procession of students, who, reverse-followed by Mr Smith, back into a classroom. When Simon approaches the doorway, Mr Smith, with a smile similar to that of the Virus, announces the most important test of Simon’s life, and quizzes the class as to the equation of two plus two. A boy suggests five. A girl then suggests six - six minutes left.
Simon suggests four - and finds himself stood in only his underwear. From the scornful laughter, he runs back to the corridor, and finds himself once more fully dressed. Seated atop a display, the Virus gloatingly announces Simon to have five minutes left.
Outside, Simon finds Evan’s bike to be immobilised by an enormous padlock. Back in the simulation of his dad’s study, he approaches the computer. On its monitor appears the face of Evan. Simon fretfully reports the game to have gone berserk. Evan gloats to have planted a virus, and mockingly supposes ultra-capable Simon’s ability to get himself out.
Evan’s image is briefly interrupted by that of the Virus, who gloats of Simon’s remaining two minutes. Evan didn’t see a thing. In exchange for Simon’s release, he demands apology.
Outside, at the door, the Virus presses the doorbell, and, astride Evan’s bike, rides into the hall.
Evan reassures Simon that the homemade virus won’t harm Simon, who displays his augmented palm.
The Virus leaps onto the banister, and slides up the stairway.
A suddenly very worried Evan tries to enter the abort code, but has been frozen out. Simon can abort from within the game, but needs the code.
The Virus nears the study door…
Just as Evan begins to impart the code, his first syllable of “com” is followed by a failure of transmission.
As the Virus knocks on the barricaded door, Simon prepares to enter a code. Several failed attempts prompt a mocking message of Simon to have forgotten his combo. Simon remembers his combination-switching prank.
The chair slides away from the door, which falls. Before a backdrop of mist and an eerie blue glow, the Virus struts in.
Simon enters the correct code, and is invited to press any key. He reclines, and gives the Virus a smirk.
Just then, wires fly into place around Simon, binding him to the chair.
The Virus pulls off his glove, which reveals, in place of a hand, a plastic stump, set with a connection lead. He leans forward…
In desperation, Simon lunges forth, and presses a key. With a yell of despair, the Virus fades in a blaze of pixels.
Back in Mr Poe’s office, Mr Poe worriedly asks if Simon is alright. He can’t see how a virus could have gotten in there…
Probably just an accident, says Simon. In the corridors, the brothers make peace - but Simon still claims use of Evan’s bike. As they run, a cleaner wheels his bucket across the corridor. From inside reaches a black-gloved hand…
Tucker stresses his appreciation for the story’s message of brotherly leniency. Gary, however, enjoyed how the Virus survived - and its next target might just be Tucker’s computer!
!!This episode provides examples of:
*TheAce: Simon is renowned for general excellence.
*{{Adorkable}}: Mr Poe, with his giddy delight in his creation.
*BodyHorror: The Virus’s brain is visible.
** The plastic socket instantaneously embedded in Simon’s palm.
*CallBack: In Simon’s exploration of his ominously empty house, the incidental score recalls that used for a comparable scene in [[Recap/AreYouAfraidOfTheDarkSeason1TheTaleOfTheSuperSpecs The Tale of the Super Specs]].
*EvilGloating: The Virus revels in reminding Simon of his impending doom.
*EvilLaugh: The maniacal guffaw of the Virus.
*IronicNickname: The Virus mocks Simon’s intellect by addressing him as [[UsefulNotes/AlbertEinstein Einstein]].
*{{Keet}}: The Virus is maniacally excitable.
*OOCIsSeriousBusiness: The digital version of Mr Poe, initially indistinguishable from the real thing, on Simon’s suggestion of a malfunction in the computer, angrily orders him out.
*SciFiHorror: On connection to a virtual reality simulator, Simon’s brain is hijacked by a suddenly sapient computer virus.
*SiblingRivalry: Of a relatively friendly sort; while on playful terms, Simon and Evan keenly pursue one-upmanship, often in the form of [[ThePrankster pranks]]. While Evan gloats over Simon’s confounding by the Virus, a hint of his brother to be in danger instantly persuades him to help.
*SlasherSmile: The Virus sports a vicious, gloating leer.
