Banderas World - Introduction

By Jeanne

Jill Gates, the CEO of Virgentrix Corporation and a closet chica, closed the Banderas Kiss Book and tapped the cover thoughtfully with her perfectly manicured index finger. The Kiss stories, first posted on the internet for fun and later published commercially with great success, had just given Jill a fabulous idea.

Jill's company, Virgentrix, was a pioneer in the field of virtual reality. Under Jill's leadership, Virgentrix had developed a virtual reality product for recreational use that promised to revolutionize the entertainment industry. In a nutshell, Virgentrix had discovered a way for a person to enter the movie of her choice and become a participant in the story, rather than merely an observer.

Virgentrix had successfully tested its virtual reality prototype, and Jill was ready to try the technology in a commercial application. And whose movies, she thought, would provide a better chance of success than those of Antonio Banderas? Based on the success of the Banderas Kiss Book, Jill knew that there was a sizable market for Antonio fantasies. And aside from the financial benefits of such a venture, she expected that the project would provide considerable personal satisfaction as well. After all, the Antonio application would require rigorous testing at the very highest levels. Jill sighed with anticipation as she imagined what that testing might entail. She had always been a very hands-on CEO, and this project would undoubtedly demand her intimate involvement.

Smiling a dreamy smile, Jill reached for the telephone to place the calls that would initiate the development of Banderas World, a retreat where those of sufficient wealth and obsession could go to live out their Antonio fantasies. And in what she hoped would be a shrewd marketing move, Jill decided to invite the Writing Chicas, on an all-expenses-paid trip, to be the first visitors at Banderas World. Jill expected that the free visit would generate lots of good will and publicity for the project.

The development of Banderas World proceeded rapidly, thanks to Jill's personal interest, and it wasn't long before the day appointed for the Writing Chicas' visit arrived. Jill greeted each Kiss writer personally, and then took a few moments to tell the group what to expect.

Banderas World, Jill said, was the product of a really incredible, ground-breaking technology. Instead of sitting in a chair with a virtual reality helmet, each visitor to Banderas World could enter the movie of her choice simply by stepping through a door. Once inside the virtual world, the visitor could interact with the characters and even try to change the outcome of the movie. For example, Nestor might be saved from the car crash, or Dr. Sarah Taylor might suffer an unfortunate accident.

And for those seeking a truly unique experience, Jill continued, there was the Custom Reality option, which allowed the visitor to create her own scenario. For instance, Ricky might be moved to England, or Ahmed transported to modern times. Custom Reality required more programming than the standard movie choices, but at Virgentrix, the motto was "Anything is possible."

Jill was silent for a moment, letting the tantalizing implications of the technology sink into the minds of the Writing Chicas. Banderas World, she resumed, had been thoroughly, even exhaustively, tested. Here, she paused again, seeming to lose her train of thought as her lips curved in a smile of remembered pleasure. She recollected herself with some effort. Despite the testing, she emphasized, unexpected things could happen. And whatever happened in the virtual world, whether good or bad, pain or pleasure, would feel very, very real to the visiting chicas. So if anyone had doubts or second thoughts, she concluded, now was the time to speak up.

There was utter silence in the room as more than one of the Writing Chicas wondered whether Jill Gates had completely lost her mind. There was no way they were giving up a chance to visit the virtual world of Antonio movies. As Jill looked at the chicas, she saw the same eager determination reflected in every face.

"Just as I thought," said Jill. "Ladies, come with me."

The Writing Chicas followed Jill through a doorway marked "Departures" and into a spacious, comfortable room where the technicians of Banderas World waited to assist them. Each of the Kiss writers selected the movie world she wished to visit, and then relaxed while the makeup and wardrobe department gave her a look appropriate to her chosen movie. The props department provided any additional items that might be required. When all of the chicas were ready, Jill led them to the Virtuport, a large room lined with doors, each one bearing the name of an Antonio movie, and one labeled "Custom Reality." Once assembled, there was a little conversation, a nervous giggle or two, and then all of the chicas were quiet as they stepped forward and opened the doors to their fantasies.