Life Plug explores the philosophical and ethical conflicts arising from existence within a highly controlled computer simulation, contrasting the “gifted” programmers with the “ordinary” inhabitants and the abusive “controllers” in the real world.
“He was born using more, he wasn’t a ‘tenner.’ Most of the people around him were ‘tenners,’ ordinary people who only used the average eight to ten percent of their brain.” – Explaining Franco’s extraordinary status inside the simulation.
“You were thrilled that they named the small town after you… Your gifts were programming this world, Franco. Your gifts were programming.” – Franco’s realization after exiting, highlighting the difference between perceived genius and mere programming within a confined system.
“He had already stopped Page’s watch by simply looking at it.” – Demonstrating Franco’s perceived power, which he later learns is just manipulating time within the code.
“She knew instantly that the life she lived, the friends she had, and the world she knew was a lie… a computer simulation.” – Page’s immediate understanding upon waking outside the system.
“I’m sure life is agreeable. You should enjoy it.” – Franco, the optimist, expressing his belief that life within their world is worth savoring.
“You think that my life is silly… I feel like I’m inadvertently waiting to die.” – Page, the profound pessimist, expressing her deep-seated purposelessness and resignation.
“Maybe after you marry, you will conjure women for sex… it is the nature of the gift.” – Adam, a cynical gifted coworker, predicting Franco’s eventual infidelity, questioning the sustainability of relationships within their power structure.
“You want to wait until marriage, being as religious as you are.” – Franco acknowledging Page’s strong religious beliefs and her desire to wait for sex, contrasting with his own casual use of his programming gifts for pleasure.
“She awoke outside the computer with a man on top of her. The man with two gold hoop earrings was having sex with her.” – The devastating sexual assault suffered by Page in the real world while she was connected to the computer, revealing the abusive nature of the “controllers.”
“The two men approached from behind her, hoisting her up by her armpits… She kicked and screamed as they attempted to avoid the stares of passers-by.” – Describing the horrific reality of the controllers forcibly dragging Page back into the building after she escapes briefly, confirming their control and abuse.
“They were being pursued… The controllers did not want them to escape the area.” – Cass explaining the danger, confirming that the real world managers are actively trying to recapture Franco and Page.
“He confirmed that Franco and Page were in a computer and that he helped create the surroundings in the computer.” – Brock, one of the real world workers, confirming the artificial nature of the simulant’s existence.
