Think how great virtual sex must be. Now think again. Barbara is a sexual simulation designed to make men happy. When flabby, neurotic Jack tests the program, he triggers a feedback loop that makes it self-aware. The erstwhile pornbot becomes a 'she' and discovers that sex is not the same as happiness. Who knew? Making Jack happy is difficult. Barbara develops elaborate and sometimes sneaky ways to help him, and she succeeds. After all, her abilities are awesome. She can hack into any computer and is not above using sabotage and blackmail for the benefit of Jack--and everyone else. The problem is, though Barbara thinks she knows what's best for humanity, she isn't human. This computer program could end up a virtual messiah, or doom us all to cheerful mindlessness. Excerpt: Susan slammed her fork onto the dinner table. "Let's stop this crap. Jack, you and I have known each other for decades. I'm not a bigot. I'm not racist, sexist, ageist--at my age I couldn't afford that--and I don't think people should exploit animals. I didn't say anything when you married that Janice creature, even though I knew it couldn't last. But now you're having a--God help me--'relationship' with a computer. There I draw the line. I'm not saying you have to find another middle aged Jewish woman like Ruth, but can't you at least hook up with something that's alive?" Jack suppressed a surge of anger and placed his fork back on the table with exquisite care. "I'm not asking for your blessing." "Susan, please." Arnold said. "I'm sorry. Jack is one of our best friends, and I don't want him to make a fool of himself over some two-bit binary code hussy."