One of them is a wanderer who is now immersive virtual reality game has just died and now I've kidnapped you for coffee.

"Waddya up to, Marv? Seein' the show tonight?"

Marv quickly turned to greet Stan, who hosted the biggest show in the world, Stan's Divine Plan. He quickly determined this was a real Stan, or a marvelous copy, worthy of real treatment if any of the later 00 units were worthy, which they were. "Yes, old chum, I'll be seeing the show. Will you be signing autographs at the desk tonight?"

"You know I only pull that blood on Thursdays, magoo. I'll see you tonight," he said, sputtering of into the lamplight.

My life feels like an immersive virtual reality game since I put on the glasses. I met all kinds of people on Stan's show. There was Fred, the dingus, the all-around good slob, the fat fuck, the freak, the all-star, Fred-- oh hey, Fred, you've found your slot in my show. Tell them about the smell behind your--

"Fred here. The Wanderer has just died in the virtual reality game we all live our lives affixed to. Yes, I know, it is very saddenning news as The Wanderer only has one life, and was said to have the power to free us from this VR hell. His body disintegrated under a rock, and he is not likely to return according to game rules. We're sorry, world. We owe you it all."

Fred stole me for coffee. "Most of what I said was BS," he said. We ordered two black coffees be sent immediately. "We can resurrect the Wanderer according to game rules. We just need to speed back time, and give the avatar a mushroom. Then, he will come back to life at a spawn point. We have just 6 hours."

I checked my hand signs for warnings of nearby danger. "From here, we will plan the delivery of the mushroom. First, we must find a time-lapse power-up. The closest one should be in the Forest of Crystals. We must fast travel soon."

"Just a moment," Fred said. "I have all the items we need in my bag."