While Level One of the city was labeled Food Court on the map, the only buildings were tiny one-story boxes lining the city walls. The rest of the area was filled with a flat lawn of bright green grass, followed by three rings of roadway encircling the entire quad. The inner ring offered a clay path for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The second ring offered smooth cobblestone sectioned into grids meant for street performers to rent—or so the patrolling Bot's flipboard claimed. The last circle offered a four lane blacktop street for cars and larger animal mounts.
They were careful to use the labeled crosswalk to transverse the street since he didn't know if the city had police drones watching. None were obvious or visible, but that didn't necessarily mean they weren't there.
The sidewalk rings were mirrored on the far side of the road, except it didn't end in a grass lawn. Instead, rough acid-etched concrete created a boardwalk where square cafe tables were available for public use. The sea of white and blue umbrellas ended only a few yards from the buildings.
Hugh and Dex parked for a moment so Hugh could check his map to find the exact location of the subway station's entrance.
"There," Dex said, pointing out a bronze statue poking up a dozen feet above everything else. "I think that's the World Turtle statue. The subway entrance should be there."
"Then any of those should work," Hugh said, pointing to the closest section of Wall. Maneuvering their bicycles between tables, they closed the distance to find all three of the boxy structures were already undergoing renovations. Players stood by the front doors, manipulating a page in their Books as they raced to set up shop. Signature brickwork appeared on the front facings, roofs were raised so the buildings were three stories tall, and well-known logos appeared.
"I'd complain about product placement in games, but I don't know what I'd do if I could never have a greasy cheeseburger and milkshake again," Hugh commented as an advertising cling posted itself on a mirrored window. "I know I could just have my NPCs make them, but it wouldn't be the same."
"How about this one?" Dex asked, pointing to the first empty building they came across. Hugh nodded in acceptance and quickly dismounted, walking his bike up to the door. As soon as he approached, a holographic order screen appeared on the door's mirrored glass. With a few finger presses, Hugh set the terms to a seven day rental at the base price of a twenty-five Zettabits a day.
"I thought you said it'd be a hundred a day," Hugh said in confusion.
"Check the rental shifts. Right now, you're only renting it from six in the morning to noon. Change it to an all-day rental."
Hugh found the menu option he meant and changed it. The price automatically increased to a hundred Zettabits a day for a total of seven hundred a week.
"Anything else I need to do?"
"Confirm the purchase, then you'll be able to access the shop management page in your Book."
Hugh confirmed, then pulled out his Book. A new entry in the Table of Contents led him to 'Page 56... Shop Management'. Through it, he was able to post an advertisement in the window saying, "Player Controlled. To buy out, please contact via Net. Serious offers only." Hugh attached his Net address at the bottom, then hit the 'Post' button.
Every window filled with his bland advertisement of simple black text on a white background.
"That should do it," he said as he put his Book away. "How does a quick dinner sound before we check out the whatchamacallit—the place we can log into the Net for free."
"The Communication Hubs," Dex provided. The Navigator followed Hugh over to a table where he summoned the self-heating thermos, a can of chicken noodle soup, and two more loafs of bread. After a moment of thought, he used his wand to summon an orange and a peach from the welcome basket. He dismantled them both using his inventory, then summoned the slices by themselves so they could snack while the soup heated.
Sitting down in chairs felt like an unexpected luxury after spending the day either sitting on hard ground or peddling a bicycle. The seat forms weren't soft, but they curved to cup his backside. He sighed and took a moment to revel in the sensation of sitting in a proper chair.
While they ate, Dex suggested a few other stops they could make. If he wanted to make an official name change, he could visit the World Council offices and use their automated kiosk. They could rent a cheap hotel room for the night for as little as one Zettabit or they could check into one of the free traveler's hostels, although hostels meant sharing an instanced room with a couple dozen other people. The Library of Nexus was already up and running. He could check out a book and scan them for use on his world. Paying for a library card would allow him to scan five a month instead of only one. The College of Nexus wouldn't be available until enough players showed up who were qualified to act as Professors, but they could check out the proposed line-up and register. Classes were first come, first served, so being one of the first registered meant he'd always have first pick.
The museum of Earth was also automated and ready for visitors. Dex thought Hugh should take the tour at least once while they were there. Toward the end, the automated tour guide would outline some of the World Council's proposed plans for Earth after the last of humanity entered stasis—beginning with the demolition of any man-made structure built to impede or alter Earth's natural forces. Dams, bridges, skyscrapers—they would all be coming down. It was hoped, in doing so, nature would be free to repair itself.
"That's crazy," Hugh said as he poured steaming soup into the thermos' detached lid.
"That's desperation," Dex corrected.