Peeking your head into your first class of the day, you're surprised to see that it looks like a faux-futuristic community college. You get the rest of your body through the door and claim a seat. Four other students arrived already, and you sit next to the middle-aged woman who you recognize as the tracksuit-wearer from day one. Her hair is streaked brown and blonde, a fact you'd missed before.
You exchange introductions, and learn that she's a private personal trainer named Marcy. She seems friendly, and your spirits rise as some of your fears evaporate.
"I had no idea," she says. "This is so crazy to me.This man just started doing magic tricks for me in the park during my run. Then he tells me I could do the same! I thought he must have been high, the way he was talking about universe energy, but for some reason I believed him."
"And now here I am!"
You tell her your story, about the mysterious online messages. She's a good audience, totally rapt.
When you finish your conversation with Marcy, class is about to begin. A woman with tightly curled black hair and (to your eyes) impeccable fashion sense stands at the front of the room and introduces herself as Dr Hart.
"Welcome to the base level intro course," she says. "We'll be starting from scratch, so I just want to get us all on a common ground today. This is important material, even though it is the first day. I expect you all to pay attention."
You try your best, but after an hour, all the new vocabulary starts to make your vision swim and your head throb. Your notepad is full of scribbles you've copied down, but you're not sure they mean anything. You certainly can't decipher them, and Dr Hart does not seem to be interested in catching people back up. And this is the first day!
You need a break, and Dr Hart is all the way on the other side of the room. Surely you could get away with a little socializing?