Ready Player One: Level Three: 0033 Summary & Analysis

Wade, Art3mis, Aech, and Shoto stare at Morrow in shock. Aech asks how he got there, and Morrow admits that he’s been spying on them using the special powers that only his avatar possesses. He assures them that he is the only avatar with access to private chatrooms, and adds that he was eavesdropping because he wanted to help them. He won’t give them any clues, but promised Halliday that he would protect the “integrity” of the contest, which is what he is doing now. Wade asks about Morrow’s falling out with Halliday, and Morrow replies that they didn’t speak for ten years, until a few weeks before Halliday’s death. Halliday asked Morrow to watch over the contest, and although Morrow was reluctant, he agreed.

Morrow tells the crew that he wants to offer them his home in Oregon as a “sanctuary” where they will be safe from the Sixers. He tells Shoto that he has already arranged for a private jet to fly him from Osaka, and has done the same for Art3mis. Morrow knows that Aech is in Pittsburgh, and asks him to pick up Wade in Columbus, where a jet will be waiting to take both of them to Oregon. The team thank Morrow, who disappears. Shoto and Art3mis log out, at which point Aech warns Wade that he doesn’t look anything like his avatar and that meeting in real life might come as a shock. Wade is nervous about the prospect of encountering both Aech and Art3mis in real life. 

Wade sends his “Call to Arms” email, also posting it to the gunter message boards. Immediately the news channels begin reporting that the gunters have “declared all-out war on the Sixers.” Wade spends a few hours preparing his avatar for battle, then falls asleep in the Plug’s rig, clutching his gun. He wakes up to the sound of Aech calling him. He returns his rented gear and goes outside, seeing Aech’s RV on the street. He enters the RV to find a heavy, short-haired African American girl sitting in the driver’s seat, wearing a vintage Rush 2112 concert t-shirt. She turns around and Wade can tell immediately from her smile that she is Aech.

Despite her smile, Aech seems nervous. Wade cannot help but start laughing, which quickly makes Aech laugh too. When she speaks, her voice is higher than it is in the OASIS. Aech asks if Wade is shocked that she is actually a “fat black chick.” Wade replies that it doesn’t matter, Aech is still his best friend. The two of them drive to the private hangar where Morrow’s private jet is waiting. It is the first time either Wade or Aech have flown in a plane, and for a while they are stunned into silence by the view. However, eventually Wade asks Aech to tell her story. 

Aech’s real name is Helen Harris. Her father died in Afghanistan, and she was raised in Atlanta by a single mother, Marie, who worked in an online data-processing center. Marie used a white male avatar in the OASIS because it made other people treat her better. Aech did the same, and Marie helped her lie on her public school record, allowing her to assume a white male identity. On Aech’s 18th birthday, she came out to her mother as gay and admitted that she’d been dating a girl she met in the OASIS for a year. Marie was furious and kicked Aech out of her house. Aech was homeless for a while, and started competing in the OASIS arena leagues in order to earn credits. She saved up enough to buy an RV and has remained on the move ever since.

As Aech and Wade talk, Wade realizes that nothing in their friendship has really changed; they are as close as ever. Landing in Oregon, both of them are stunned by Morrow’s mansion. Aech compares it to Rivendell, the beautiful Elven town in the Lord of the Rings movies. Morrow greets them warmly and tells them it’s nice to have visitors, as apart from his household help, he has been alone since Kira’s death. He tells them that Art3mis and Shoto have already arrived, but that Art3mis said it would be too distracting for them all to meet before the battle and suggested they wait until after. Wade feels both relieved and disappointed.

Morrow leads them through the mansion’s grand entrance. As they walk, Wade nervously confesses his love of Halcydonia Interactive. Aech laughs at Wade’s enthusiasm, but Morrow accepts the compliment graciously. He promises to give Aech and Wade a full tour of the mansion later, but for now he sets them up in state-of-the-art OASIS immersion bays. Wade and Aech wish each other good luck before disappearing into the bays. Morrow tells Wade: “The whole world is rooting for the four of you. Try not to let them down.”

Before Morrow leaves, Wade asks him what happened to his friendship with Halliday. Morrow explains that Halliday had been in love with Kira since high school, but he was never brave enough to tell her how he felt. He only confessed his feelings to Morrow just before his death. It was painful for Halliday to watch his best friend marry Kira, the only woman he would ever love. Morrow wishes Wade luck once more, and Wade asks what he will do during the fight. Morrow smiles and says that he is planning to watch, and that it looks like it will be “the most epic battle in videogame history.” Wade steps into the bay, dons the immersion gear, and logs in.