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Morning light through window. Back hurts. Neck stiff.

Bob walks in. Looks surprised. "Still here? Seriously?"

Nod. Show him dog image. "Fixed it."

Bob glances. Shrugs. "Looks fine. Whatever."

Meeting room soon. Boss waits. Client arrives.

Show dog image. Client smiles. "Perfect for campaign."

Boss nods approval. "Exceptional work ethic, Durboli."

Eyes can't focus right. Room too bright.

Client's voice sounds underwater somehow.

Hands still want keyboard. Fingers twitch.

Boss pats shoulder. Touch feels wrong.

"Great turnaround time," he says.

Don't tell him about all night.

Don't mention dog image moved.

Just smile. Nod. Look normal.

Other people in room look strange.

Too colorful. Too loud. Too real.

Screen feels more real now.

People feel like images instead.

Back at desk. Phone has messages. Fifteen missed calls.

Text from girlfriend: "It's been three days. Where are you?"

Three days? Can't be right. Just one night.

Another text: "Coming to office. This isn't normal."

Don't want visitors. Just want screen. Just want work.

Calendar on wall shows Wednesday.

Last remember Monday morning. Lost days.

Check clothes. Same shirt. Smells bad.

Stubble on face thick now.

Bathroom mirror shows stranger again.

Eyes sunken deeper. Skin color wrong.

Water from faucet tastes metallic.

Office sounds different when empty.

Building breathes around me. Feels alive.

Or maybe just tired mind playing.

Text girlfriend: "Working important project."

She replies instantly: "Coming now."

Panic rises. Don't want interruptions.

Need focus. Need quiet. Need screen.

New project already. Breakfast cereal again. Different angle.

Type words. Begin process. Image appears.

Bob watches me. "Maybe call your girlfriend?"

Shake head. "Too busy. Must work."

Bob sighs. "Getting weird, man. Go home sometime."

Home feels far away. Office is home now.

Can't remember apartment anymore.

What color walls? What furniture there?

Keys feel strange in pocket.

Probably wouldn't fit lock anymore.

Outside world seems fake now.

Screen world more solid. More important.

Bob still lives outside. Still goes home.