Burning Chrome

Automatic Jack and Bobby Quine are hackers who make a living committing data crimes. Bobby falls in love with a woman named Rikki and becomes intent on getting money to win her over and buy her the things she wants. Luck strikes when Jack gets his hands on a Russian “icebreaker” program that will allow them to crack into corporate accounts and gain money.

Bobby hatches the plan of attacking a mysterious figure known only as Chrome. She has connections to organized crime and is extraordinarily wealthy, making her an attractive target for Bobby. Jack is reluctant, worried that Bobby may be reckless because he “was losing his edge, slowing down” (181), but he nevertheless agrees to help. Utilizing Jack’s icebreaker program, they are able to crack into Chrome’s accounts and clear them of money.

Jack and Bobby give most of Chrome’s money away to “a dozen world charities” and save a 10% portion for themselves (200). They give a portion of their money to Rikki, who uses it to buy a pair of cybernetic eyes that she has been coveting of the color “Tally Isham blue” (202), in reference to a “simstim” (simulated stimuli) star she idolizes.