Douglas is a downtrodden office clerk living in a basic conapt in the not-too-distant future. He feels profoundly unfulfilled by his mundane daily routine and fixates on an impossible dream of taking a vacation to Mars. Unable to afford the actual space trip, he seeks out a medical facility that promises to implant fake, highly realistic memories of interplanetary travel directly into his mind.

Kirsten shares a cramped conapt with her husband Douglas and frequently expresses contempt for his unrealistic ambitions. She actively discourages his expensive fixation on visiting Mars, believing he should focus on what they can actually afford. She occasionally tries to compromise, suggesting more practical vacations like visiting an underwater hotel, but her patience with his dissatisfaction is extremely thin.

McClane is a slick salesman working for Rekal Incorporated, a company that commodifies experiences by implanting false realities into customers' brains. He treats memories purely as a business transaction, promising clients indistinguishable adventures complete with physical souvenirs planted in their homes. He is highly focused on closing deals and following his company's standard operating procedures.