"The California King" is a really good story, sort of a Horror genre story crossed with science fiction. I actually had to read it twice--the first time I raced through it in a few minutes because I just had to find out what happened.

The second reading was more leisurely, admiring the virtual scenery and surroundings (not sure admiring is the word I want) and selecting certain parts to read more carefully--the initial experience with a tat, the first meeting with the child, and a couple more.

I don't want to say too much, because I don't want to spoil it for you. Read and enjoy! Again, I'm not sure enjoy is the word you want when you're talking about phlegm-colored waiting rooms. It's a guy thing, I guess.

Note also the observer/participant points of view. Very difficult to write and the authors did a superb job. Read it (this month's Asimov's Science Fiction) and you'll see what I mean.