Stacey Colton is a central character in the Vestigial Surreality series (later known as Wolf), a speculative fiction work by Douglas Christian Larsen that explores themes of reality, simulation, and existential philosophy. He is a middle-aged man, approximately 35 years old at the story's start, with a professional demeanor—often depicted as a businessman—and physical traits like white streaks in his dark hair due to genetics. Stacey serves as a mentor figure to the young protagonist Jack, sharing pivotal moments like conversations in a park that feel surreal and scripted. He appears prominently in early episodes, such as Episode 2 ("Stacey") and Episode 10 ("Apocalypse"), where he interacts with Jack and other characters amid apocalyptic and otherworldly events. Later, in Episode 55 ("Killing Stacey"), his arc reaches a dramatic climax involving the Shaanni, an alien or extradimensional entity. Throughout the 56-episode series, Stacey embodies the narrative's core questions about whether life is a simulation, puppet show, or hidden cosmic drama.
- Role and Introduction: Seven is the protagonist of Episode 3, titled simply Seven. She is a young woman who experiences a severe migraine that transports her into the "crystal sandbox"—a virtual or simulated realm within the story's universe. This event marks her entry into the larger narrative, where she navigates bizarre, hyperreal worlds blending fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi elements.
- Background and Abilities: Seven appears to be an ordinary person at first but quickly gains intuitive control over the simulation through mental interfaces (e.g., navigating menus in her mind without physical movement). She has a strong connection to "Vestigial Surreality" (the story's core simulated domain, often abbreviated as VS), which allows her to manipulate environments and interact with other characters.
- Key Relationships and Plot Involvement:
- She shares a close bond with Jack (the series' initial protagonist from Episode 1) and Stacey (from Episode 2), whom she encounters early on and startles with her abilities.
- Antagonistic encounters include Kronoss, an admin-like figure she confronts in Episode 7 (Confrontation), where they face off amid revelations about the simulation.
- Later arcs see her allying with figures like Mr. Dodgson (a Lewis Carroll-inspired character) in Episode 47 (The Whole Shebang), where VS is revealed as her "baby"—a creation tied to her and indirectly to Jack. She also interacts with mad scientists like Tesla and Adam in Episode 39 (Tesla Frankenstein) and explores realms like the Honey Moon.
- Significance: Seven embodies the series' exploration of awakening within a simulation. Her journey involves bewilderment, empowerment, and horror, as she uncovers layers of reality, including Saturn-like skies, digital wars, and puppet-like existences. By the later episodes (e.g., 40: Punch Drunk, 52: Horror & Wonder), she's deeply embedded in the plot, influencing reboots and confrontations that tie into the series' meta-conclusion in Episode 56 (REBOOT).
