Have you ever considered the relationship of clinical paranoia to the phenomenon of religious conversion? — William Gibson

Kumiko looked into Colin's transparent green eyes…"What are you?"

"A Maas-Neotek biochip personality-base programmed to aid and advise the Japanese visitor in the United Kingdom." He winked at her.

"Why did you wink?"

The ghost touched his lips with a slim forefinger. "I'm something else as well, yes. I do display a bit too much initiative for a mere guide program. I can't tell you exactly what I am, though, because I don't know."

Petal called the city Smoke.

In cyberspace, Kumiko noted, there are no shadows.