As Chester’s avatar stretched, Dumas gazed at the magician’s lithe body with the lust of a moth regarding a flame.  This was torture.  He could almost reach out, almost run his hand over each muscle as it expanded and contracted -- but of course, if he tried, he wouldn’t feel anything at all.  The hologram, like Dumas’s own desire, was a ghost.<br/><br/>But DEE appeared unperturbed by Chester’s taunting.  Still smiling, the hologram shook its head.  “I could find your birthday right now. However, finding your original name is harder.  There are walls I have to get past and dark spaces I need to find my through.”<br/><br/>As DEE spoke those words, a disconcerting realization struck Dumas.  It was remotely possible that Chester’s actual birthday might be buried somewhere in the club database.  But his original name?  That wasn’t in any record Red might have.  A strange expression crept over Dumas’s face as he stared at DEE.  “Wait a minute...you can get out?  Out there?”  Dumas waved his hand in the air, indicating the vast reaches of cyberspace.<br/><br/>“Of course.”  DEE’s tone was patient, like an adult explaining something to a child.  “Wonderland’s security isn’t a closed system.  I have direct links to the police, the fire department, the nearest hospital…lots of places.”<br/><br/>“Jesus,” Dumas muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.  “Sweet fucking Jesus.”<br/><br/>Having settled that, DEE returned its attention to Chester.  In no particular hurry, it walked up to the purple clad avatar, until the two holograms were nearly standing toe to toe.  “I know what you want,” it announced.  “You want to get inside me.  Find out what I am.  So if you win, if I can’t find your original name, you can jack in and have a look around.”<br/><br/>Entranced, Dumas watched as DEE reached out and ran a hand down Chester’s cheek.  What did two holograms feel when they touched each other?  Then DEE leaned even closer, whispering in Chester’s ear.  It was the first time DEE had ever said something that Dumas couldn’t hear -- either inside his own head or through the security system’s sensors.  Dumas felt helpless, like a man caught in some surreal nightmare.  It was a feeling that would have only grown stronger if he’d actually caught DEE’s final terms for the bet.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">And if I win, he gets a kiss.</span>