Virtually True

Introduction
‘Virtually true’ is a story about Michael Dawson and Shultz. Both of them are connected
through a computer in the virtual world. It is an interesting story because this virtual world has
certain real connections, whereby Michael saved Sebasitan Shultz’s life.
Theme
The story revolves around Michael, who encounters a series of interactive video games with a
unique twist: they involve real memories of a boy named Sebastian. When Sebastian is injured
in a car accident, his consciousness is somehow trapped within these virtual games, making it
necessary for Michael to "rescue" him by playing through each game. The story highlights
themes of friendship, empathy, and the fusion between virtual reality and actual human
experiences. It explores how technology, while fictional in this context, can influence and even
change lives, challenging readers to consider the extent to which virtual and real worlds are
intertwined.
Title Justification
The title "Virtually True" cleverly plays on the double meaning of the word "virtual,"
suggesting both the virtual world of the games and the idea of something that is "almost" or
"nearly" true. The title reflects the story’s premise, where the virtual and real realms overlap to
a point where the experiences within a game start affecting real lives. This blurring of
boundaries raises questions about what is "true" or "real" in a world where technology can
simulate experiences so vividly.Overall, the title "Virtually True" is fitting, as it encapsulates
the essence of the story—a reality that's almost, but not quite, entirely true, yet has profound
consequences in the real world.
Question Answers
Q1. According to the newspaper, what had happened to Sebastian Shultz?
A1. According to the newspaper, six weeks ago, Sebastian Shultz was badly injured in a
motorway accident. His condition, on arrival at the general hospital, was described as critical
though stable. Despite doctor’s hopes, the boy did not regain consciousness. His parents were
informed that their son was in coma.
Q2. ‘Dad’s nutty about computers.’ What evidence is there to support this statement?
A2. The narrator’s father was particularly obsessed with computers since he purchased several
of them at the Computer Fair. He purchased speakers, a printer, a modem, a scanner, a 1.2 GB
Hard drive, a Pentium processor, RAM and 16 speed CD ROMs.
Q3. In what way did the second game seem very real?
A3. The second game was Dragon Quest. The narrator imagined himself strolling through the
dragon’s castle while it was pursuing them; he experienced a true pursuit and even felt the
dragon’s scorching breath on his face.
Q4. The last game has tanks, jeeps, helicopters and guns. Which headings would you put this
and the other games under?
A4. Warzone falls under the category of simulation games. Wild west is a strategy game.
Jailbreak is an action game, whereas Dragonquest is a fantasy role-playing game.
Q5. What was Michael’s theory about how Sebastian had entered the games?
A5. Sebastian likely had his head smacked in those games when the incident occurred,
according to Michael. His recollection had been stored in the computer. At the fair, Michael
bought a number of video games. Some of them were Sebastian’s stolen property. The
computer was attempting to access Sebastian’s memory while Michael was engaging in those
games.
Q6. Why did the news of the ‘miracle recovery’ shock Michael?
A6. Michael was shocked by the news of the miracle recovery for he thought that Sebastian
Shultz couldn’t be the boy he had met. Six weeks ago he was badly injured in a motorway
accident; his condition in the hospital was described as critical though stable. Sebastian didn’t
regain consciousness. His parents were informed that the boy was in a coma.
Q7. Michael’s meeting with Sebastian Shultz had been a chance meeting. Where had it taken
place and how?
A7. Michael met Sebastian Shultz by chance through the computer game, when Sebastian
Shultz was badly injured. His memory was saved in a computer when he banged his head
during the accident. When Michael played the game, he entered into Sebastian’s memory and so
he met him.
Q8. What kind of computers fascinated Michael and his dad? Why?
A8. Michael and his dad were fascinated by computers that had got a Pentium 150 Mhz
processor, with 256 of RAM, a 1.2 Gb hard disk drive and 16 speed CD ROM, complete with
speakers, printer, modem and scanner, because it could do anything. Paint, play music, create
displays; even when his homework was rubbish, it looked fantastic.
Q9. Describe the first place where Michael was virtually transported?
A9. Michael found himself striding down the dusty track through the centre of the town. There
was a Sheriff’s badge pinned on his shirt, he was virtually transported into a saloon.
Q10. What help did Sebastian ask Michael for? How did he convey this message?
A10. Sebastian Shultz asked Michael to retrieve him. As Michael slipped off the visor, the
empty desert disappeared and he found himself back in the power base, then he noticed that
printer had come on. At the top was a picture of the second Sheriff on the piece of paper printed
over the bottom of the message PLEASE HELP TO RETRIEVE ME. TRY ‘DRAGONQUEST’
Sebastian Shultz.
Q11. Why did Michael fail in rescuing Sebastian Shultz the first time?
A11. Michael failed to rescue Sebastian Shultz the first time because the second Sheriff
appeared waving his arms shouting ‘don’t go out’. He was about Michael’s age though he
looked like a computer image, but didn’t move like one. He told Michael to follow him. They
raced down a corridor and ran, passed some men, but they ended up back in the saloon. The
second Sheriff jumped on a horse and they both sped off at that moment.The gun shot echoed
and the second Sheriff (Sebastian Shultz) groaned and slumped back.
Q12.The second attempt to rescue Sebastian Shultz too was disastrous. Give reasons.
A12. The second attempt to rescue Sebastian Shultz too was disastrous because the aim of the
game was to rescue the princess from a tall tower, but a second knight appeared from the
wardrobe and told Michael, ‘It’s me who needs rescuing’. Michael saw it was Sebastian to
escape from the tower Sebastian chopped off the Princess’s long plaits and with them slipped
from the window down. As Michael lowered himself down, the dragon followed them and
when they turned the dragon was upon them, but the dragon was only interested in Sebastian.
There was nothing that Michael could do to prevent them.
Q13. Narrate the accident that injured Sebastian Shultz.
A13. Sebastian Shultz was injured in a motorway accident. His condition was critical at the
hospital, he did not regain consciousness, he was in a coma.
Q14. How had Sebastian Shultz entered the games?
A14. When the accident occurred, Sebastian was using his laptop to play one of the same
psycho-drive games that Michael had bought. When he banged his head in the accident the
computer had saved his memory in its own.’
Q15.How was Sebastian Shultz’s memory stored in Michael’s disk? Did Michael discover that?
A15. Sebastian Shultz’s memory was stored in Michael’s disk while he was in hospital.
Someone stole Sebastian Shultz’s games and they ended up at the computer fair from where
Michael’s father bought them. So, he restored in his disk when he played them. Sebastian
Shultz had a close brush with death. After he had recovered, he returned to school and narrated
his experience to his classmates. Yes Michael’s discovered that.