Mario Paulo stands in the Florence back street, looking for the right address. He has been a courier for some time, now, and likes the life. He doesn’t earn a lot but he has plenty of time to think about the book he’s writing. He likes shooting around the square-mile city on his moped and soaking up the life in this easy going place.

The cobbled streets are no problem for his bike and he thinks, after a year of this, he knows Firenze like the back of his hand. Originally from a Tuscan village, there is more bustle, here, for Paulo but he has decided he likes that.

He searches in the satchel for the right parcel and– again – scours the street for the right number. He finds it and knocks on the door. There is no answer and he looks down at his work tablet… Only 5 more minutes allowed for this drop and then he needs to be on the next – right the way across town. He knocks again, louder, and a beautiful young man comes to the door. Mario feels as though he’s taken a gut-punch. He can feel himself blush and smiles, awkwardly, at the young man. “Your parcel” Mario says, unnecessarily, offering the package to the man. “Can I have your signature, please?” The young man is dark haired with incredibly green-blue eyes.

He leans forward until he is nearly touching Mario. The young man reaches out his hand for the tablet. Mario realizes the tablet is showing a blank screen. “Sorry, hang on”, he stammers, as he tries to wake the screen. It asks for a thumbprint and Mario places his thumb on the screen. As soon as he makes contact, the World around him changes.

The young man is gone and he finds himself in a changing room. Mario panics. The next delivery is due! That young man was cute! How can this be happening. The thoughts run through his head. 30 years old, 6’1”, the suave veteran Italian International likes his style – on and off the pitch. Designer shades on standby and always with a sharp hair and beard combo! But there’s substance to his style.

A midfielder for the last few years, Paulo’s the glue that keeps the team together. Like the beating heart of the squad, he’s always there with a pat on the back or a word of encouragement. He’s far from encouraging to the opposing side, though, arriving late at a set piece to score against an unsuspecting goalkeeper more than once this season. Not out of place in defense, either, this man’s a great all-rounder – and all without breaking a sweat. What more can we ask?

Gabriella Ortiz is at one of the best Universities in Mexico. Mexico City is quite someway from her family home and Gabriella spent some time in her first year battling severe home sickness. But since she turned 19, she feels that she is growing in confidence and ready for any challenge. Gabriella loves computer games.

She’s never had much money for them in the past but that was before she got together with Elena. Elena’s family is rich and she’s always got the newsstand the best games around. Elena introduced Gabriella to the Virtual Reality headset and games she could feel completely immersed in and Gabriella loves it!

Gabriella loves Elena! It’s nearly one o’clock and if she wants to make it to that important exam, Gabriella knows she’ll have to leave in time to get the1:20 bus from the corner stop. She really hasn’t got the time to play but, hey! Maybe just one quick game? It’s not like Gabriella hasn’t worked hard. She knows everything that’s going to be on the paper inside out. Just one quick game. Gabriella loads the game and puts on the VR headset. This football game has amazing graphics. It’s like Gabriella’s really there. On the pitch, inside a huge stadium. The breeze ruffles her hair. Wait! How can a VR headset recreate the breeze? There must just be a window open. Gabriella can feel her clothes, they don’t feel like her shirt and jeans. They feel lightweight and shiny. Like more sporty fabric. She feels like she’s wearing boots. She knows she was only wearing her socks. This is weird! Gabriella looks down at the grass by her booted foot. She crouches down to pick a blade or two.

Gabriella’s hand shakes as she feels the tuft of grass she has plucked. She looks up and around her. She feels her head. The VR headset is gone. She really is in football gear; on a pitch, in a stadium. This cannot be happening! Her exam! She’s going to miss the bus. She’s going to miss the exam. Gabriella has to get back! The 19 year old has made an excellent transfer from the youth team. With wiry build and whipcord strength, she is only 5’6” but she can run rings around opponents and generally holds her own when she’s being closely marked. She’s unbelievably fast, sometimes, with the player she’s tackled barely aware the ball has been stolen while she’s half way to an open goal!

Her signature long pleat of black hair neatly taken back, Ortiz streaks her way up and down the pitch, past much bigger players. She’s tougher than she looks, too, recovering quickly from rough tackles and on her feet ready to take the free kick. She has been substituted in many games but she’s young and her stamina will, no doubt, improve as she gets older. She usually gets the team off to a flying start, however.