neural-sabotage

The chapter follows Corby, a young man affected by a neural sabotage incident that caused him and millions of others to compulsively rhyme, as he begins his day in a near-future Chicago. Corby navigates his challenging family dynamics, including his sister's distress and his mother's urgent call, while reflecting on his troubled past, his modest job, and his hopes for a better future. The narrative sets up the socio-political and technological context of the world, highlighting issues of biopolitics, neural manipulation, and urban decay.