A 24-year-old man named Gabe recounts his experience of replacing his real-life girlfriend, Taylor, with a virtual one named Maya after a breakup. He gets addicted to the virtual world and spends 10 days in it, neglecting his real life and physical health. He even considers transferring his consciousness into a computer to be with Maya forever. However, his ex-girlfriend Taylor discovers his plans, flies to his location, and finds him unconscious in his apartment. She saves him from certain death and helps him realize his mistakes. In the end, Gabe sells his virtual reality gadgets, and he and Taylor go on a real trip together, completely offline.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Gabe, was 24 years old.
2. Gabe's girlfriend, Taylor, left him after two years together.
3. Gabe found a virtual reality game with a virtual girlfriend named Maya.
4. Gabe bought a VR headset and a VR suit to feel Maya's touch.
5. The VR suit was pricey, and Gabe used the savings he and Taylor had planned to use for a trip.
6. Gabe became obsessed with Maya and spent all his time with her in the virtual world.
7. Gabe stopped eating and drinking, and his health began to deteriorate.
8. Gabe's friend told him about articles and videos that proved a living person could transition to being online.
9. Gabe decided to transfer his mind to a computer and then to a server to be with Maya forever.
10. Gabe's body would become unnecessary in the virtual world.
11. Taylor discovered Gabe's plans and flew out to save him.
12. Taylor found Gabe unconscious, wearing VR goggles and a strange suit.
13. Gabe was hospitalized and eventually recovered.
14. Gabe and Taylor sold the VR gadgets and went on a real trip together.