He built it himself: three graphics-card upgrades, four years of tinkering, a case lit like a casino floor. He listed it on a Thursday to cover the rent, for less than half of what it cost, and within the hour he had forty messages.

Thirty-nine of them said 'Is this still available?' and were never heard from again. The fortieth came to the door, looked at the machine for eleven seconds, and offered forty dollars and 'good vibes.' Then he asked about the chair. The rent was due Monday. The chair went too.