In a distant future, the poor reside in facilities where they earn "merits" by riding stationary bikes to pay for daily necessities like food and toothpaste. Their small rooms are equipped with screens for entertainment but are bombarded with adult ads. Users can purchase clothes and decorations for their avatars. A golden ticket to the talent show Hot Shot offers a chance at a better life. One user, Bing Madsen, has millions of merits and avoids ads to play video games. His fellow rider, Dustin, is unpleasant.