Document:

Exhibit 10.54

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

            THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT is dated as of November 3, 2000 (this
"Agreement"), by and among Virtual Communities, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Pledgor"), the entities listed on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively,
the "Pledgees") and Parker Chapin LLP, an agent on behalf of the Pledgees (the
"Agent").

            WHEREAS, the Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of the number
of ordinary shares, nominal value NIS $0.01 per share (the "Ordinary Shares"),
of Cortext Ltd., an Israeli private company (the "Company"), set forth on
Schedule I hereto;

            WHEREAS, the Pledgees have made loans to the Pledgor in the
aggregate principal amount of $1,770,270.33 (the "Loans") pursuant to the
Secured Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement dated as of November 3, 2000 (the
"Purchase Agreement") by and among the Pledgor and the Pledgees;

            WHEREAS, the Loans are evidenced by promissory notes, dated as of
November 6, 2000, in the aggregate principal amount of $1,770,270.33 issued by
the Pledgor and payable to the order of the Pledgees (the "Notes" and
collectively with this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement, the "Loan
Documents"); and

            WHEREAS, the obligation of the Pledgees to make such Loans is
conditioned on the execution and delivery by the Pledgor of a pledge agreement
in the form hereof to secure the following (collectively, the "Secured
Obligations"): all obligations, including, without limitation, the due and
punctual payment and performance of (a) the principal of and interest on the
Loans, pursuant to the irrevocable proxy granted herein, when and as due,
whether at maturity, by acceleration, upon one or more dates set for prepayment
or otherwise, (b) all obligations of the Pledgor at any time and from time to
time under this Agreement and the Notes.

            Accordingly, the Pledgor, the Agent and the Pledgees hereby agree as
follows:

            1. Pledge. As security for the payment in full of the Secured
Obligations, the Pledgor hereby transfers, grants, bargains, sells, conveys,
hypothecates, pledges, sets over, assigns, endorses over, delivers and grants,
unto the Agent, a security interest in (a) 4,500,000 Ordinary Shares (the
"Initial Pledged Stock") and any additional Ordinary Shares which may be pledged
in the future by the Pledgor as contemplated by Section 4(f) below (all such
additional shares together with the Initial Pledged Stock, the "Pledged Stock")
and (b) all proceeds of the Pledged Stock, including, without limitation, all
cash, securities or other property at any time and from time to time receivable
or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any of or all such
Pledged Stock (the items referred to in clauses (a) and (b) being collectively
called the "Collateral").

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            2. Stock Powers. Concurrently with the delivery to the Agent of any
certificates representing securities, other than debt securities, now or
hereafter included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, the Pledged
Stock (the "Pledged Securities"), shall be accompanied by undated stock powers,
duly executed in blank, or other instruments of transfer reasonably satisfactory
to the Agent and by such other instruments and documents as the Agent may
reasonably request.

            3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The Pledgor hereby
makes the following representations, warranties and covenants:

            (a) the Pledgor has the requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into and perform its obligations under, and to grant the security interest
in the Collateral pursuant to, this Agreement in accordance with the terms
hereof. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Pledgor
and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated thereby have been
duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and no further
consent or authorization of the Pledgor or the Company or of their respective
Board of Directors or stockholders is required. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by the Pledgor. This Agreement constitutes, or shall
constitute when executed and delivered, a valid and binding obligation of the
Pledgor enforceable against the Pledgor in accordance with its terms, except as
such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, conservatorship, receivership or
similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditor's
rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general application;

            (b) the execution, delivery and performance of, and the granting of
the Lien on the Collateral pursuant to, this Agreement by the Pledgor and the
consummation by the Pledgor of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and
will not (i) violate any provision of the Pledgor's or the Company's certificate
of incorporation, as amended, or by-laws, or comparable charter documents, (ii)
conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse
of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of
termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement,
mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement,
instrument or obligation to which the Pledgor or the Company is a party or by
which it or its properties or assets are bound, (iii) create or impose a lien,
mortgage, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any nature on any property
or asset of the Pledgor or the Company under any agreement or any commitment to
which the Pledgor or the Company is a party or by which the Pledgor or the
Company is bound or by which any of their respective properties or assets are
bound, or (iv) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign
statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and
state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the Pledgor or the Company
or any of their respective subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the
Pledgor or the Company or any of their respective subsidiaries are bound or
affected;

            (c) no consent or authorization of, filing with, or other act by or
in respect of, any court, governmental body or regulatory authority or any
securities exchange is necessary and no consent of any other person (including,
without limitation, any creditor of such Pledgor), or under any other agreement
is required in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity or
enforceability of this Agreement or the granting of the Liens pursuant hereto;

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            (d) there is no action, suit, claim, investigation, arbitration,
alternate dispute resolution proceeding or other proceeding pending or, to the
knowledge of the Pledgor, threatened against the Pledgor or any subsidiary which
(i) questions the validity of this Agreement or any of the transactions
contemplated hereby or any action taken or to be taken pursuant hereto or (ii)
which could have a material adverse effect on the property or financial
condition of the Pledgor;

            (e) the Pledgor (i) is and will at all times continue to be the
direct owner of, beneficially and of record, and has good and marketable title
to, the Pledged Stock that it is pledging hereunder except for the delivery and
endorsement over of the Collateral to the Agent as contemplated hereunder, (ii)
holds the Collateral that it is pledging hereunder free and clear of all Liens
of every kind and nature, except for the Lien in favor of the Agent granted
pursuant to this Agreement, and the Pledged Stock is subject to no options to
purchase or any similar or other rights of any person, (iii) except as permitted
under the Loan, will make no assignment, pledge, hypothecation or transfer of,
or create any security interest in, the Collateral including, without
limitation, by virtue of becoming bound by any agreement which restricts in any
manner the rights of any present or future holder of any Pledged Stock with
respect thereto, and (iv) subject to Section 5 below, will cause any and all
Collateral, whether for value paid by the Pledgor or otherwise, to be forthwith
deposited with the Agent and pledged or assigned hereunder;

            (f) all the shares of the Pledged Stock hereto have been duly
authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable and represent
all of the Ordinary Shares of the Company owned from time to time by the
Pledgor, but in any event no less than 60% of the issued and outstanding
Ordinary Shares of the Company;

            (g) the Pledgor (i) has the authority to pledge the Collateral it is
pledging hereunder in the manner hereby done or contemplated, and (ii) will
defend the Agent's and the Pledgees' right, title and interest thereto or
therein against any and all attachments, Liens, claims or other impediments of
any nature, however arising, of all persons whomsoever;

            (h) by virtue of the execution and delivery by the Pledgor of this
Agreement, when the certificates, instruments or other documents representing or
evidencing the Collateral are delivered to the Agent in accordance with this
Agreement, the Agent will obtain a valid, perfected, first Lien upon and
security interest in such Collateral as security for the repayment of the
Secured Obligations, prior to all other Liens thereon or therein, enforceable as
such against all creditors of Pledgor and any persons purporting to purchase any
Collateral from Pledgor;

            (i) the pledge effected hereby is effective to vest in the Agent and
the Pledgees the rights of the Agent and the Pledgees in the Collateral as set
forth herein;

            (j) without the prior written consent of the Agent, Pledgor will not
(i) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, the Company to issue any
stock or other equity securities of any nature or to issue any other securities
convertible into or granting the right to purchase or exchange for any stock or
other equity securities of any nature of the Company, (ii) sell, assign,
transfer, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect
to, the Collateral, or (iii) create, incur or permit to exist any Lien or option
in favor of, or any claim of

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any person with respect to, any of the Collateral, or any interest therein,
except for the Lien provided for by this Agreement;

            (k) covenants to promptly notify the Agent upon the issuance of
Ordinary Shares or any securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into
Ordinary Shares by the Company;

            (l) at any time and from time to time, upon the written request of
the Agent, and at the sole expense of the Pledgor, Pledgor will promptly and
duly execute and deliver such further instruments and documents, furnish such
information and take such further actions as the Agent may reasonably request
for the purposes of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement
and of the rights an powers herein granted.

            All representations, warranties and covenants of the Pledgor
contained in this Agreement shall survive the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement until the termination of this Agreement pursuant
to Section 15 hereof.

            4. Registration in Nominee Name; Denominations. Upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Agent shall (i) have the
right (in its sole and absolute discretion with prior notice to the Pledgor) to
transfer to or to register the Pledged Stock in its own name or the name of its
nominee, and (ii) at all times have the right to exchange the certificates
representing Pledged Stock for certificates of smaller or larger denominations
for any purpose consistent with this Agreement.

            5. Voting Rights; Dividends. (a) Unless and until an Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

                  (i) The Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all
voting and/or consensual rights and powers accruing to an owner of Pledged
Securities or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms
of this Agreement, and/or the Loan Documents, provided that such right exercised
or action taken would not impair the Collateral, result in any violation of, or
adversely affect any provision of this Agreement or any Loan Documents, the
rights and remedies of the Agent or the Pledgees under this Agreement, the Loan
Documents or any other document executed and delivered in connection herewith or
therewith, or the ability of the Agent or the Pledgees to exercise the same.

                  (ii) The Agent shall execute and deliver to the Pledgor, or
cause to be executed and delivered to the Pledgor, all such proxies, powers of
attorney, and other instruments as the Pledgor may reasonably request for the
purpose of enabling the Pledgor to exercise the voting and/or consensual rights
and powers which they are entitled to exercise pursuant to subparagraph (i)
above.

            (iii) The Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain any and
all cash dividends paid in the normal course of business of the Company on the
Pledged Stock. Any and all (x) non-cash dividends, (y) stock or dividends paid
or payable in cash or otherwise in connection with a partial or total
liquidation or dissolution, and (z) instruments, securities, other distributions
in property, return of capital, capital surplus or paid-in surplus or other
distributions

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made on or in respect of Pledged Stock (other than dividends permitted by this
Section 5(a) (iii)), whether paid or payable in cash or otherwise, whether
resulting from a subdivision, combination, recapitalization or reclassification
of the outstanding capital stock of the Company of any Pledged Stock or received
in exchange for Pledged Stock or any part thereof, or in redemption thereof, as
a result of any reorganization, merger, consolidation, acquisition or other
exchange of assets to which the Company is or may be a party or otherwise shall
be and become part of the Collateral, and, if received by the Pledgor, shall not
be commingled by the Pledgor with any of its other funds or property but shall
be held separate and apart therefrom, shall be held in trust for the benefit of
the Agent and the Pledgees and shall be forthwith delivered to the Agent in the
same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement) as additional
collateral security for the Secured Obligations.

                  (iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, for as long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Pledgor shall grant the
Agent a veto right with respect to any and all major transactions entertained by
the Company and any transactions involving the issuance of Ordinary Shares or
any securities convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into Ordinary Shares. In
addition, each of the Pledgees or any of its agents shall be permitted to
observe any and all meetings of the board of directors of the Company and shall
be consulted by such board of directors of the Company in connection with any
action to be taken by written consent for as long as any portion of the Notes
remain outstanding.

            (b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, all rights of the Pledgor to receive any dividends, stock, instruments,
securities and other distributions which the Pledgor is authorized to receive
pursuant to paragraph (a)(iii) of this Section 5 shall cease, and all such
rights shall thereupon become vested in the Agent, which shall have the sole and
exclusive right and authority to receive and retain such dividends and
distributions. All dividends and distributions which are received by the Pledgor
contrary to the provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be received in trust for
the benefit of the Agent and the Pledgees, shall be segregated from other
property or funds of the Pledgor and shall be forthwith delivered to the Agent
as Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).
Any and all money and other property paid over to or received by the Agent
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5(b) shall be retained by the Agent
in an account to be established by the Agent upon receipt of such money or other
property and shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 8
hereof.

            (c) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default, all rights of the Pledgor to exercise the voting and consensual rights
and powers which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall
cease pursuant to the irrevocable proxy granted herein, and all such rights
shall thereupon become vested in the Agent, which shall have the sole and
exclusive right and authority to exercise such voting and consensual rights and
powers. In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
of Default, the Agent shall have the right to nominate or replace a number of
directors to constitute a majority of the board of directors of the Company.

            (d) In order to permit the Agent to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant to Section 5(c)
and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to
receive under Section 5(a)(iii) or Section 5(b),

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the Pledgor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and
delivered) to the Agent all such proxies, dividend payment orders, undated stock
powers duly executed in blank by the Pledgor and other instruments as the Agent
may from time to time reasonably request.

            Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Pledgor does
hereby constitute and appoint the Agent as its proxy, effective upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to exercise all
rights, benefits, privileges and powers accruing to the Pledgor, as owner of the
Pledged Securities, including, without limitation, giving or withholding
consent, calling and attending shareholders' meetings to be held from time to
time with full power to vote and act for and in the name, place and stead of the
Pledgor and in the same manner, to the same extent, and with the same effect
that the Pledgor would if personally present at such meetings, giving to the
Agent full power of substitution and revocation, which proxy shall be effective,
automatically and without the necessity of any action (including any transfer of
any Pledged Stock on the record books of the issuer thereof) by any person
(including the issuer of the Pledged Stock or any officer or the Agent thereof).

             THIS PROXY IS IRREVOCABLE AND COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST

            Any proxy or proxies heretofore given by the Pledgor to any person
or persons whatsoever are hereby revoked. This proxy shall continue in full
force and effect until such time as all Secured Obligations are paid and
satisfied in full in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents.

            6. Remedies upon Event of Default. If an Event of Default (as such
term is defined in the Notes) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Agent
may exercise, in addition to all other rights and remedies granted in this
Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement, securing, evidencing or
relating to the Secured Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party
under the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent, without demand of
performance or other demand, presentment, protest advertisement or notice of any
kind (except any notice required by law referred to below) to or upon the
Pledgor or any other person (all and each of which demands, defenses,
advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in such circumstances
forthwith collect, receive, appropriate and realize upon the Collateral, or any
part thereof, and/or may forthwith sell, assign, give option or options to
purchase or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Collateral, at public or
private sale or at any broker's board or on any securities exchange, upon such
terms and conditions as it may deem advisable and at such prices as it may deem
best, for cash, upon credit or for future delivery as the Agent shall deem
appropriate. Any such sale or disposition shall be conducted and shall conform
to the standards of commercial reasonableness as provided in the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York to the extent applicable
to such sale or disposition. Each such purchaser at any such sale shall hold the
property sold absolutely, free from any claim or right on the part of the
Pledgor, and the Pledgor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable
law) all rights of redemption, stay and appraisal which the Pledgor now has or
may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing
or hereafter enacted.

            If any notice of a proposed sale or other disposition of Collateral
shall be required by law, the Agent shall give the Pledgor ten (10) days'
written notice (which the

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Pledgor agrees is reasonable notice within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial
Code as in effect in New York) of the Agent's intention to make any sale or
other disposition of Collateral. Such notice, in the case of a public sale,
shall state the time and place for such sale and, in the case of a sale at a
broker's board or on a securities exchange, shall state the board or exchange at
which such sale is to be made and the day on which the Collateral, or portion
thereof, will first be offered for sale at such board or exchange. Any such
public sale shall be held at such time or times within ordinary business hours
and at such place or places as the Agent may fix and state in the notice (if
any) of such sale. At any such sale, the Collateral, or portion thereof, to be
sold may be sold in one lot as an entirety or in separate parcels, as the Agent
and the Pledgees may (in their sole and absolute discretion) determine. The
Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of any Collateral if they shall
determine not to do so, regardless of the fact that notice of sale of such
Collateral shall have been given. The Agent may, without notice or publication,
adjourn any public or private sale or cause the same to be adjourned from time
to time by announcement at the time and place fixed for sale, and such sale may,
without further notice, be made at the time and place to which the same was so
adjourned. In case any sale of all or any part of the Collateral is made on
credit or for future delivery, the Collateral so sold may be retained by the
Agent until the sale price is paid by the purchaser or purchasers thereof, but
the Agent shall not incur any liability in case any such purchaser or purchasers
shall fail to take up and pay for the Collateral so sold and, in case of any
such failure, such Collateral may be sold again upon like notice. At any public
sale made pursuant to this Section 6, and, to the extent permitted by applicable
law, at any private sale, the Agent or any Pledgee may bid for or purchase from
any right of redemption, stay or appraisal on the part of the Pledgor (all said
rights being also hereby waived and released to the extent permitted by
applicable law), with respect to the Collateral or any part thereof offered for
sale and such Pledgee may make payment on account thereof by using any claim
then due and payable to such Pledgee from the Pledgor as a credit against the
purchase price, and such Pledgee may, upon compliance with the terms of sale,
hold, retain and dispose of such property without further accountability to the
Pledgor therefor. For purposes hereof, a written agreement to purchase the
Collateral or any portion thereof shall be treated as a sale thereof; the Agent
shall be free to carry out such sale and purchase pursuant to such agreement,
and the Pledgor shall not be entitled to the return of the Collateral or any
portion thereof subject thereto, notwithstanding the fact that after the Agent
or the Pledgees shall have entered into such an agreement all Events of Default
shall have been remedied and the Secured Obligations paid in full. As an
alternative to exercising the power of sale herein conferred upon it, the Agent
may proceed by a suit or suits at law or in equity to foreclose this Agreement
and to sell the Collateral or any portion thereof pursuant to a judgment or
decree of a court or courts having competent jurisdiction or pursuant to a
proceeding by a court-appointed receiver.

            7. Application of Proceeds of Sale. The proceeds of any sale of
Collateral, as well as any Collateral consisting of cash, shall be applied by
the Agent as follows:

                  FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable costs and
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Agent in connection with such collection
or sale or otherwise in connection with this Agreement or any of the Secured
Obligations, including, but not limited to, all court costs and the reasonable
fees and expenses of the Agent and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances
made by the Agent hereunder on behalf of the Pledgor or to protect and preserve
the Collateral and any other reasonable out-of-pocket costs or expenses incurred
in connection with

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the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder;

                  SECOND, to the payment in full of principal and interest in
respect of any Loans outstanding;

                  THIRD, to the payment in full of all Secured Obligations
(other than those referred to above) owed to the Pledgees; and

                  FOURTH, to the Pledgor, its successors or assigns, or as a
court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

The Pledgor shall remain liable for any deficiency if the proceeds of any sale
or their disposition of Collateral are insufficient to pay the Secured
Obligations and the reasonable fees and disbursements of any attorneys employed
by the Agent or the Pledgees to collect such deficiency.

            8. Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The Pledgor hereby appoints the
Agent its attorney-in-fact, effective upon the occurrence and continuance of an
Event of Default, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this
Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which the Agent may
deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment
is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, with full power of substitution either
in the Agent's name or in the name of the Pledgor, to ask for, demand, sue for,
collect, receive receipt and give acquittance for any and all moneys due or to
become due and under and by virtue of any Collateral, to endorse checks, drafts,
orders and other instruments for the payment of money payable to the Pledgor
representing any interest or dividend, or other distribution payable in respect
of the Collateral or any part thereof or on account thereof and to give full
discharge for the same, to settle, compromise, prosecute or defend any action,
claim or proceeding with respect thereto, and to sell, assign, endorse, pledge,
transfer and make any agreement respecting, or otherwise deal with, the same;
provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring
or obligating the Agent to make any commitment or to make any inquiry as to the
nature or sufficiency of any payment received by the Agent. The Agent may
present or file any claim or notice, or to take any action with respect to the
Collateral or any part thereof or the moneys due or to become due in respect
thereof or any property covered thereby, and no action taken by the Agent or the
Pledgees or omitted to be taken with respect to the Collateral or any part
thereof shall give rise to any defense, counterclaim or offset in favor of the
Pledgor or to any claim or action against the Agent or the Pledgees in the
absence of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or the
Pledgees, as the case may be.

            9. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure on the part of the
Agent or the Pledgees to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power
or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy by the Agent or the Pledgees
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and may be
exercised singly or concurrently, are not exclusive of any other remedies
provided by law. The

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Agent or the Pledgees shall not be deemed to have waived any rights hereunder or
under any other agreement or instrument unless such waiver shall be in writing
and signed by such parties.

            10. Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the Agent and the
Pledgees hereunder, the grant of a security interest in the Collateral and all
obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be absolute and unconditional
irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Loan
Documents, any agreement with respect to any of the Secured Obligations or any
other agreement or instrument relating to any of the foregoing (other than as
resulting from the Agent's or the Pledgees' gross negligence or willful
misconduct), (ii) any change in time, manner or place of payment of, or in any
other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or
waiver of or any consent to any departure from the Loan Documents, (iii) any
exchange, release or nonperfection of any other collateral, or any release or
amendment or waiver of or consent to or departure from any guarantee, for all or
any of the Secured Obligations or (iv) any other circumstance which might
otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Pledgor in
respect of the Secured Obligations or in respect of this Agreement.

            11. Agent's Fees and Expenses. The Pledgor shall be obligated to,
upon demand, pay to the Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of the Agent's
or the Pledgees' legal counsel and any experts of the Agent or the Pledgees'
which the Agent or the Pledgees may incur in connection with (i) the custody or
preservation of (after the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default),
or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the
Collateral in accordance herewith; (ii) the exercise or enforcement of any of
the rights of the Agent or the Pledgees hereunder in accordance herewith; or
(iii) the failure by the Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions
hereof. In addition, the Pledgor indemnifies, and holds the Agent and the
Pledgees harmless from and against any and all liability incurred by the Agent
and the Pledgees hereunder or in connection herewith, unless such liability
shall be due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent or the
Pledgees, as the case may be. Any such amounts payable as provided hereunder or
thereunder shall be additional Secured Obligations secured hereby and by the
Loan Documents.

            12. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate upon the Maturity
Date (as such term is defined in the Note), provided, however, that all
indemnities of the Pledgor contained in this Agreement shall survive, and remain
operative and in full force and effect regardless of, the termination of this
Agreement. Any such reassignment shall be without recourse to or warranty by the
Agent or the Pledgees and at the expense of the Pledgor.

            13. Notices. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in
writing and given as provided in the Purchase Agreement.

            14. Further Assurances. The Pledgor agrees to do such further acts
and things, and to execute and deliver such additional conveyances, assignments,
agreements and instruments, as the Agent may at any time reasonably request in
connection with the administration and enforcement of this Agreement or with
respect to the Collateral or any part thereof or in order better to assure and
confirm unto the Agent and the Pledgees their respective rights and remedies
hereunder.

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            15. Binding Agreement: Assignments. This Agreement, and the terms,
covenants and conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, except that
the Pledgor shall not be permitted to assign this Agreement or any interest
herein or in the Collateral, or any part thereof, or otherwise pledge, encumber
or grant any option with respect to the Collateral, or any part thereof, or any
cash or property held by the Agent as Collateral under this Agreement.

            16. Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be governed by
and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York,
without giving effect to the choice of law provisions. This Agreement shall not
be interpreted or construed with any presumption against the party causing this
Agreement to be drafted.

            17. Specific Enforcement, Consent to Jurisdiction.

            (a) The Pledgor and each of the Pledgees acknowledge and agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this
being in addition to any other remedy to which any of them may be entitled by
law or equity.

            (b) Each of the Pledgor and the Pledgees (i) hereby irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court sitting in the
Southern District of New York and the courts of the State of New York located in
New York county for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out
of or relating to this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents or
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby and (ii) hereby waives, and
agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it
is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit,
action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of
the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Pledgor and the Pledgees
consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it
under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and
sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 17
shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

            18. Waiver Of Jury Trial. THE PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHTS THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE
UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ANY STATE OR TERRITORY, TO A
TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY AND ALL ISSUES ARISING EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING BETWEEN THE PLEDGOR, THE AGENT AND/OR THE PLEDGEES OR THEIR
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
FURTHER, THE PLEDGOR WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER, IN ANY
SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL
DAMAGES. IT IS INTENDED THAT

                                       10
<PAGE>

SAID WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY AND ALL DEFENSES, RIGHTS AND/OR COUNTERCLAIMS IN
ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

            19. Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions
contained in this Agreement should be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions
contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

            20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which, when
taken together, shall constitute but one instrument. This Agreement shall be
effective when a counterpart which bears the signature of the Pledgor shall have
been delivered to the Agent.

            21. Section Headings. Section headings used herein are for
convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of, or be
taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Pledge
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                    VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    GILSTON CORPORATION, LTD.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    WARWICK CORPORATION LTD.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       12
<PAGE>

                                    ACQUA WELLINGTON VALUE FUND, LTD.

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                    PARKER CHAPIN LLP, as Agent

                                    By:_____________________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       13
<PAGE>

                                   SCHEDULE I
                               to Pledge Agreement

            PLEDGOR: VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                                                     Percentage
                                     Stock                  Number        of
                                  Certificate                 of     Outstanding
Stock Issuer   Class of Stock         Nos.     Par Value    Shares      Shares
-------------- ----------------- ------------- ---------- ---------- -----------

Cortext Ltd.    Ordinary Shares        4          $0.01    3,825,000     51%
Cortext Ltd.    Ordinary Shares        5          $0.01      675,000      9%

                                       14EXHIBIT B

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE
SECURITIES LAW AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS
IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S, REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC. SHALL HAVE
RECEIVED AN OPINION OF ITS COUNSEL THAT REGISTRATION OF SUCH SECURITIES UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS
IS NOT REQUIRED.

HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE
CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT.

                            VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

                           Convertible Promissory Note
                                November __, 2000

No. CN-__                                                              $_____.00

      For value received, VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the
"Maker"), hereby promises to pay to the order of _______________________, a
________ corporation, with offices located at ______________________________
(together with its successors, representatives, and permitted assigns, the
"Holder"), in accordance with the terms hereinafter provided, the principal
amount of ________________ Dollars ($______.00), together with interest thereon.

      All payments under or pursuant to this Note shall be made in United States
Dollars in immediately available funds to the Holder at the address of the
Holder first set forth above or at such other place as the Holder may designate
from time to time in writing to the Maker or by wire transfer of funds to the
Holder's account, instructions for which are attached hereto as Exhibit A. The
outstanding principal balance of this Note shall be due and payable on November
__, 2003 (the "Maturity Date") or at such earlier time as provided herein. This
Note may, without the prior written consent of the Holder, be prepaid by the
Maker, in whole or in part, upon five (5) days prior written notice in
accordance with Section 3.7(d) hereof; provided, however, that the Maker's right
to make any such prepayment shall be subject to the Holder's

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

right of conversion pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof.

                                   ARTICLE I

      Section 1.1 Purchase Agreement. This Note has been executed and delivered
pursuant to the Secured Convertible Notes Purchase Agreement, dated as of
November __, 2000 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and among the Maker and the
purchasers listed therein (the "Purchasers"). Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth for such terms in the
Purchase Agreement.

      Section 1.2 Security. The obligations of the Maker under this Note are
secured by the Collateral (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) under and as
provided in the Pledge Agreement dated as of November __, 2000 (the "Pledge
Agreement") by and among the Maker and the Purchasers. The Maker does hereby
covenant and agree to abide by and comply with each and every such term,
obligation, covenant, condition and provision set forth in this Note, the Pledge
Agreement and the Purchase Agreement.

      Section 1.3 Interest. Beginning on the date hereof, the outstanding
principal balance of this Note shall bear interest, in arrears, at a rate per
annum equal to ten percent (10%), payable quarterly unless earlier converted or
prepaid as provided herein. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve (12) 30-day months and shall accrue commencing on the Closing
Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). The interest shall be payable, at
the option of the Holder, in cash or shares of the Maker's common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); provided, that if the Holder elects
to receive any interest in Common Stock, the Maker shall issue to the Holder
registered and freely tradable shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of
Common Stock to be issued as payment of accrued and unpaid interest shall be
determined by dividing (a) the total amount of accrued and unpaid interest to be
converted into Common Stock by (b) 75% of the average of the five (5) lowest
Closing Bid Prices (as defined in Section 3.2(iv) hereof) of the Common Stock
during the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day
immediately preceding the date the interest payment is due. Furthermore, upon
the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in Section 2.1 hereof), then
to the extent permitted by law, the Maker will pay interest to the Holder,
payable on demand, on the outstanding principal balance of the Note from the
date of the Event of Default until payment in full at the rate of fifteen
percent (15%) per annum.

      Section 1.4 Payment on Non-Business Days. Whenever any payment to be made
shall be due on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday under the laws of the
State of New York, such payment may be due on the next succeeding business day
and such next succeeding day shall be included in the calculation of the amount
of accrued interest payable on such date.

      Section 1.5 Transfer. This Note may be transferred or sold, subject to the
provisions of Section 4.5 of this Note, or pledged, hypothecated or otherwise
granted as security by the Holder.

      Section 1.6 Replacement. Upon receipt of a duly executed, notarized and
unsecured written statement from the Holder with respect to the loss, theft or
destruction of this Note (or any replacement hereof), and without requiring an
indemnity bond or other security, or, in the

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

case of a mutilation of this Note, upon surrender and cancellation of such Note,
the Maker shall issue a new Note, of like tenor and amount, in lieu of such
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note.

                                   ARTICLE II

                           EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES

      Section 2.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following
events shall be an "Event of Default" under this Note:

            (a) the Maker shall fail to make the payment of any amount of
principal outstanding on the date such payment is due hereunder; or

            (b) the Maker shall fail to make any payment of interest for a
period of five (5) days after the date such interest is due; or

            (c) the Pledged Stock represents less than sixty percent (60%) of
the issued and outstanding ordinary shares, nominal value NIS $0.01 (the
"Ordinary Shares"), of Cortext Ltd., an Israeli corporation ("Cortext"); or

            (d) the Agent (as such term is defined in the Pledge Agreement) does
not have a first prior and perfected lien and security interest in any of the
Collateral;

            (e) the failure of the Registration Statement to be declared
effective by the SEC on or prior to the date which is one hundred twenty (120)
days after the Filing Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement); or

            (f) the suspension from listing or the failure of the Common Stock
to be listed on the Nasdaq Small Cap Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq"), the Nasdaq
National Market, OTC Bulletin Board, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. or The
American Stock Exchange, Inc. for a period of five (5) consecutive trading days;
or

            (g) the Maker's notice to the Holder, including by way of public
announcement, at any time, of its inability to comply (including for any of the
reasons described in Section 3.8(a) hereof) or its intention not to comply with
proper requests for conversion of this Note into shares of Common Stock; or

            (h) the Maker shall fail to (i) timely delivery the shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of the Note or any interest accrued and unpaid, (ii)
timely file the Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement) or (iii) make the payment of any fees and/or liquidated damages under
this Note, the Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement, which
failure in the case of items (i) and (iii) of this Section 2.1(h) is not
remedied within seven (7) business days after the incurrence thereof; or

            (i) while the Registration Statement is required to be maintained
effective pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the
effectiveness of the Registration

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

Statement lapses for any reason (including, without limitation, the issuance of
a stop order) or is unavailable to the Holder for sale of the Registrable
Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) in accordance with
the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, and such lapse or unavailability
continues for a period of ten (10) consecutive trading days, provided that the
cause of such lapse or unavailability is not due to factors solely within the
control of Holder; or

            (j) default shall be made in the performance or observance of (i)
any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Note (other than as set
forth in clause (h) of this Section 2.1) or the Pledge Agreement (other than as
set forth in clauses (c) and (d) of this Section 2.1) and such default is not
fully cured within three (3) business days after the occurrence thereof or (ii)
any material covenant, condition or agreement contained in the Purchase
Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement which is not covered by any other
provisions of this Section 2.1 and such default is not fully cured within seven
(7) business days after the occurrence thereof; or

            (k) any material representation or warranty made by the Maker herein
or in the Purchase Agreement, the Pledge Agreement or the Registration Rights
Agreement shall prove to have been false or incorrect or breached in a material
respect on the date as of which made; or

            (l) the Maker shall issue any debt securities which are not
subordinate to this Note on such terms as are acceptable to the holders of a
majority of the outstanding principal amount of this Note and the other Notes
purchased under the Purchase Agreement; or

            (m) the consummation of any of the following transactions: (i) the
consolidation, merger or other business combination of the Maker or Cortext with
or into a person or entity (other than (A) pursuant to a migratory merger
effected solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of incorporation of
the Maker or (B) a consolidation, merger or other business combination in which
holders of the Maker's or Cortext's voting power immediately prior to the
transaction continue after the transaction to hold, directly or indirectly, the
voting power of the surviving entity or entities necessary to elect a majority
of the members of the board of directors (or their equivalent if other than a
corporation) of such entity or entities), except if in the case of a
consolidation merger or other business combination of the Maker, the Maker shall
have given the Holder not less than fifteen (15) business days prior written
notice thereof (the "Transaction Notice") and shall have furnished the Holder
with such information regarding the consolidation, merger or other business
combination (including, without limitation, the counterparties thereto) as the
Holder may reasonably request in order for the Holder to determine if it will
exercise its conversion rights hereunder prior to the consummation of such
consolidation, merger or other business combination; (ii) the sale or transfer
of all or substantially all of the Maker's or Cortext's assets; or (iii) the
consummation of a purchase, tender or exchange offer made to the holders of more
than 30% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or Ordinary Shares.

            (n) the Maker or Cortext shall (i) default in any payment of any
amount or amounts (x) of principal of or interest on any Indebtedness (other
than the Indebtedness hereunder) the aggregate principal amount of which
Indebtedness is in excess of $25,000 or (ii)

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition
relating to any Indebtedness or contained in any instrument or agreement
evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event shall occur or
condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to
cause, or to permit the holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries of
such Indebtedness to cause with the giving of notice if required, such
Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; or

            (o) the Maker or Cortext shall (i) apply for or consent to the
appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee
or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its property or
assets, (ii) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such debts
become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
(iv) commence a voluntary case under the United States Bankruptcy Code (as now
or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction
(foreign or domestic), (v) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or other similar law
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (vi) acquiesce in
writing to any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under United
States Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable
laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic), or (vii) take any action under
the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the
foregoing; or

            (p) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Maker
or the Cortext, without its application or consent, in any court of competent
jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation, reorganization, moratorium,
dissolution, winding up, or composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii) the
appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of it or
of all or any substantial part of its assets or (iii) similar relief in respect
of it under any law providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or
case described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or
unstayed and in effect, for a period of sixty (60) days or any order for relief
shall be entered in an involuntary case under United States Bankruptcy Code (as
now or hereafter in effect) or under the comparable laws of any jurisdiction
(foreign or domestic) against the Maker or action under the laws of any
jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing shall be
taken with respect to the Maker or Cortext and shall continue undismissed, or
unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days.

      Section 2.2 Remedies Upon An Event of Default. If an Event of Default
shall have occurred and shall be continuing, the Holder of this Note may at any
time at its option (a) declare the entire unpaid principal balance of this Note,
together with all interest accrued hereon, due and payable, and thereupon, the
same shall be accelerated and so due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest, or notice, all of which are hereby expressly unconditionally and
irrevocably waived by the Maker; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default described in (i) Sections 2.1 (n), (o) or (p), the
outstanding principal balance and accrued interest hereunder shall be
automatically due and payable and (ii) Sections 2.1(c)-(m), demand the
prepayment of this Note pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof, (b) demand that the
principal amount of this Note then outstanding and all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon shall be converted into shares of Common Stock at a conversion
price per share calculated pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof assuming that the date
that the Event of Default occurs is the Conversion Date (as defined in Section
3.1(a) hereof), or (c) exercise or otherwise enforce any one or more of the
Holder's rights, powers, privileges, remedies and interests under this Note, the
Purchase Agreement, the

                                      -5-
<PAGE>

Pledge Agreement (to the extent Holder has not elected to enforce its rights
under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 2.2), the Registration Rights
Agreement or applicable law. No course of delay on the part of the Holder shall
operate as a waiver thereof or otherwise prejudice the right of the Holder. No
remedy conferred hereby shall be exclusive of any other remedy referred to
herein or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

                                  ARTICLE III

                      CONVERSION; ANTIDILUTION; PREPAYMENT

      Section 3.1 Conversion Option.

            (a) At any time on or after the earlier of (i) the effective date of
the Registration Statement, (ii) the 90th day after the Closing Date, (iii) the
occurrence of an Event of Default or (iv) the date of the Transaction Notice,
this Note shall be convertible (in whole or in part), at the option of the
Holder (the "Conversion Option"), subject to the limitations set forth in
Section 3.5 hereof, into such number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of
Common Stock as is determined by dividing (x) that portion of the outstanding
principal balance under the Note as of such date that the Holder elects to
convert by (y) the Conversion Price (as hereinafter defined) then in effect on
the date on which the Holder faxes a notice of conversion (the "Conversion
Notice"), duly executed, to the Maker (facsimile number (212) 214-0550, Attn.:
Avi Moskowitz) (the "Conversion Date"), provided, however, that the Conversion
Price shall be subject to adjustment as described in Section 3.6 below.

            (b) Dispute Resolution. In the case of a dispute as to the
determination of the Conversion Price or the arithmetic calculation of the
number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of this Note, the
Maker shall promptly issue to the Holder the number of shares of Common Stock
that is not disputed and shall submit the disputed determinations or arithmetic
calculations to the Holder via facsimile as soon as possible, but in no event
later than two (2) business days after receipt of the Holder's Conversion
Notice. If the Holder and the Maker are unable to agree upon the determination
of the Conversion Price or the arithmetic calculation of the number of shares of
Common Stock to be issued upon such conversion within one (1) business day of
such disputed determination or arithmetic calculation being submitted to the
Holder, then the Maker shall within one (1) business day submit via facsimile
(A) the disputed determination of the Conversion Price to an independent,
reputable investment bank acceptable to the Holder or (B) the disputed
arithmetic calculation of the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon
such conversion to an independent, outside accountant acceptable to the Holder.
The Maker shall cause such investment bank or accountant, as the case may be, to
perform the determinations or calculations and notify the Maker and the Holder
of the results no later than seventy-two (72) hours from the time it receives
the disputed determinations or calculations. Such investment bank's or
accountant's determination or calculation, as the case may be, shall be binding
upon all parties absent manifest error. The reasonable expenses of such
investment bank or accountant in making such determination shall be paid by the
Maker, in the event the Holder's calculation or determination was correct, or by
the Holder, in the event the Maker's calculation or determination was correct,
or equally by the Maker and the Holder in the event that neither the Maker's or
the Holder's calculation or determination was correct. The period of time in
which the Maker is required to effect conversions or prepayments under this

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Note shall be tolled with respect to the subject conversion or prepayment
pending resolution of any dispute by the Maker made in good faith and in
accordance with this Section 3.1(b).

      Section 3.2 Conversion Price.

            (a) The term "Fixed Conversion Price" shall mean 110% of the Closing
Bid Price of the Common Stock (as reported by Bloomberg Financial Markets
("Bloomberg")) on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market for such security (or on such other
United States stock exchange or public trading market ("Alternative Exchange")
on which the shares of the Maker trade if, at the time of conversion, they are
not trading on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market) on the trading day immediately
preceding the Closing Date; provided, however that (i) on the 366th day after
the Closing Date, the Fixed Conversion Price shall increase to 115% of the
Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock on the trading day immediately preceding
the Closing Date and (ii) on the 732nd day after the Closing Date the Fixed
Conversion Price shall increase to 120% of the Closing Bid Price of the Common
Stock on the trading day immediately preceding the Closing Date.

            (b) The term "Floating Conversion Price" shall mean 90% of the
lowest Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market as
reported by Bloomberg (or on such other Alternative Exchange on which the shares
of the Maker trade if, at the time of the conversion, they are not trading on
Nasdaq SmallCap Market) during the twenty (20) consecutive trading days ending
on the trading day immediately preceding the Conversion Date for such
conversion, as applicable.

            (c) The term "Conversion Price" shall mean an amount equal to the
lesser of (a) the Fixed Conversion Price and (b) the Floating Conversion Price.

            (d) The term "Closing Bid Price" shall mean, for any security as of
any date, the last closing bid price of such security quoted on the Nasdaq
SmallCap Market, or, if no closing bid price is reported for such security on
the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, the last closing trade price of such security as
reported on the Nasdaq SmallCap Market, or, if no last closing trade price is
reported for such security by Bloomberg or on an Alternative Exchange, the
average of the bid prices of any market makers for such security as reported in
the "pink sheets" by the National Quotation Bureau, Inc. If the Closing Bid
Price cannot be calculated for such security on such date on any of the
foregoing bases, the Closing Bid Price of such security on such date shall be
the fair market value as mutually determined by the Maker and the holders of a
majority of the outstanding Notes. If the Maker and the holder of this Note are
unable to agree upon the fair market value of the Common Stock, then such
dispute shall be resolved pursuant to Section 3.1(b). (All such determinations
to be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split or other
similar transaction during such period).

      Section 3.3 Mechanics of Conversion.

            (a) In connection with the conversion of this Note in accordance
with Section 3.1(a), the Holder may exercise its Conversion Option by delivering
an original Conversion Notice to the Maker which shall specify the amount of
this Note that the Holder desires to convert and surrendering to the Maker the
Note to be converted, marked "Canceled," and acknowledged by the Holder to be
paid-in-full within three (3) business days from the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

Conversion Date. Upon receipt by the Maker of the Note to be converted pursuant
to a Conversion Notice, together with the originally executed Conversion Notice,
the Maker or its designated transfer agent, as applicable, shall within three
(3) business days following the receipt of both, issue and deliver to the Holder
via a common carrier for overnight delivery to the address specified in the
Conversion Notice, certificate(s) representing the number of shares of Common
Stock determined in accordance with Section 3.1(a) above and, in the event of a
partial conversion of the Note, a new Note for the remainder of the principal
balance not converted. Upon the Holder's exercise of the Conversion Option, the
Maker shall, within three (3) business days from the Conversion Date, pay and
deliver to the Holder, in cash or as otherwise provided in this Note, all
accrued but unpaid interest on the Note through the date of such conversion.

            (b) If within three (3) business days from the receipt of the
Conversion Notice and the original Note to be converted (the "Share Delivery
Period") the Maker shall fail to issue and deliver the certificates representing
the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled upon
conversion of this Note or to issue a new Note representing the balance of the
principal not being converted, if any, in addition to all other available
remedies which the Holder may pursue hereunder and under the Purchase Agreement
(including indemnification pursuant to Article VIII thereof), the Maker shall
pay as additional damages to the Holder on each business day after such third
(3rd) business day that such conversion is not timely effected in an amount
equal 0.5% of the product of (A) the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock
not issued to the Holder on a timely basis pursuant to Section 3.3(a) and to
which the Holder is entitled and, in the event the Maker has failed to deliver a
new Note Certificate to the Holder on a timely basis pursuant to Section 3.3(a),
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the shares of
the Note represented by such Note Certificate, as of the last possible date
which the Maker could have issued such Note Certificate to the Holder without
violating Section 3.3(a) and (B) the Closing Bid Price of the Common Stock on
the last possible date which the Maker could have issued such Common Stock and
such Note Certificate, as the case may be, to the Holder without violating
Section 3.3(a). If the Maker fails to pay the additional damages set forth in
this Section 3.3(b) within five (5) business days of the date incurred, then
such payment shall bear interest at the rate of 2% per month (pro rated for
partial months) until such payments are made.

            (c) The Maker shall pay any payments incurred under this Section 3.3
in immediately available funds upon demand. Nothing herein shall limit the
Holder's right to pursue injunctive relief and/or actual damages for the Maker's
failure to issue and deliver Common Stock to the Holder, including, without
limitation, the Holder's actual losses occasioned by any "buy-in" of Common
Stock necessitated by such late delivery. Furthermore, in addition to any other
remedies which may be available to the Holder, in the event that the Maker fails
for any reason to effect delivery of such shares of Common Stock within three
(3) business days of the date of receipt of the Conversion Notice, the Holder
will be entitled to revoke the relevant Conversion Notice by delivering a notice
to such effect to the Maker whereupon the Maker and the Holder shall each be
restored to their respective positions immediately prior to delivery of such
Conversion Notice except that Holder shall retain the right to receive both the
late payment amounts set forth above plus the actual cost of any "buy-in." As
used herein, 'buy-in" shall mean the purchase by the Holder of shares of Common
Stock in an open market transaction or otherwise in order to meet its delivery
obligations in connection with

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

the sale of Common Stock, which delivery obligation the Holder intended to
satisfy with the shares of Common Stock to be delivered within the Share
Delivery Period.

      Section 3.4 Intentionally Omitted.

      Section 3.5 Conversion Restrictions.

            (a) Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Maker shall not
be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock upon conversion of this Note or
any interest thereon if the issuance of such shares of Common Stock would exceed
that number of shares of Common Stock which the Maker may issue upon conversion
of the Note (the "Exchange Cap") without breaching the Maker's obligations under
the rules and regulations of Nasdaq or any Alternative Exchange upon which the
Common Stock is or becomes traded, except that such limitation shall not apply
in the event that the Maker (a) obtains the approval of its stockholders as
required by applicable rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or any Alternative
Exchange, for issuances of Common Stock in excess of such amount (the
"Shareholder Approval") or (b) obtains a written opinion from outside counsel to
the Maker that such approval is not required, which opinion shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Holder; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, the Maker will issue such number of shares of Common
Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note at the then current Conversion Price
up to the Exchange Cap. If the conversion of this Note would result in the
issuance of Common Stock which in the aggregate would equal or exceed the
Exchange Cap, the Maker shall within thirty (30) days of such conversion
request, (i) call a meeting of its stockholders in order to seek the Shareholder
Approval as required by the applicable rules or regulations of Nasdaq or the
Alternative Exchange, as applicable (the "Stockholders Meeting"), which
Stockholders Meeting shall take place within sixty (60) days of the conversion
request and (ii) file a proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Until such approval or written opinion is obtained, the Holder shall
not be issued, upon conversion of this Note, shares of Common Stock in an amount
greater than the product of (i) the Exchange Cap amount multiplied by (ii) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of Notes issued to the Holder
pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the denominator of which is the aggregate
amount of all the Notes issued to the all holders pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement (the "Cap Allocation Amount"). In the event that the Holder shall
convert all of its Notes into a number of shares of Common Stock which, in the
aggregate, is less than Holder's Cap Allocation Amount, then the difference
between such Holder's Cap Allocation Amount and the number of shares of Common
Stock actually issued to Holder shall be allocated to the respective Cap
Allocation Amounts of the remaining holders of Notes on a pro rata basis in
proportion to the amount of Notes then held by each such holder. If the Maker
obtains the Shareholder Approval, the Maker shall be obligated to issue upon
conversion of the Notes, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock in excess of
the Exchange Cap. If the Maker fails to obtain the Shareholder Approval or call
the Stockholder Meeting within the time period set forth herein, the Holder may
exercise its rights pursuant to Section 3.8(a) hereof. Nothing in this Section
3.5(a) shall limit the Holder's right to request conversion of its Notes or its
rights under Section 3.8 hereof.

            (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section
3.1 of this Note, at no time may the Holder convert this Note if the number of
shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to such conversion would exceed,
when aggregated with all other shares of

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

Common Stock owned by the Holder at such time, the number of shares of Common
Stock which would result in the Holder owning more than 9.99% of all of the
Common Stock outstanding at such time; provided, however, that upon the Holder
providing the Maker with seventy-five (75) days notice (the "Waiver Notice")
that the Holder would like to waive this Section 3.5(b) of this Note with regard
to any or all shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note, this
Section 3.5(b) shall be of no force or effect with regard to that amount of this
Note referenced in the Waiver Notice.

      Section 3.6 Adjustment of Conversion Price.

            (a) The Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment from time to
time as follows:

            (i) Adjustments for Stock Splits and Combinations. If the Maker
shall at any time or from time to time after the date of issuance of this Note
(the "Issuance Date"), effect a stock split of the outstanding Common Stock, the
applicable Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the stock split
shall be proportionately decreased. If the Maker shall at any time or from time
to time after the Issuance Date, combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
the applicable Fixed Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the
combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustments under this
Section 3.6(a)(i) shall be effective at the close of business on the date the
stock split or combination occurs.

            (ii) Adjustments for Certain Dividends and Distributions. If the
Maker shall at any time or from time to time after the Issuance Date, make or
issue or set a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock
entitled to receive a dividend or other distribution payable in shares of Common
Stock, then, and in each event, the applicable Fixed Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior to such event shall be decreased as of the time of such
issuance or, in the event such record date shall have been fixed, as of the
close of business on such record date, by multiplying, as applicable, the
applicable Fixed Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction:

                  (1) the numerator of which shall be the total number of shares
      of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of
      such issuance or the close of business on such record date; and

                  (2) the denominator of which shall be the total number of
      shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the
      time of such issuance or the close of business on such record date plus
      the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend
      or distribution.

            (iii) Adjustment for Other Dividends and Distributions. If the Maker
shall at any time or from time to time after the Issuance Date, make or issue or
set a record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to
receive a dividend or other distribution payable in other than shares of Common
Stock, then, and in each event, an appropriate revision to the applicable Fixed
Conversion Price shall be made and provision shall be made (by adjustments of
the Conversion Price or otherwise) so that the Holder shall receive upon
conversions thereof, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock
receivable thereon,

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

the number of securities of the Maker which Holder would have received had this
Note been converted into Common Stock on the date of such event and had
thereafter, during the period from the date of such event to and including the
Conversion Date, retained such securities (together with any distributions
payable thereon during such period), giving application to all adjustments
called for during such period under this Section 3.6(a)(iii) with respect to the
rights of the Holder.

            (iv) Adjustments for Reclassification, Exchange or Substitution. If
the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note at any time or from time
to time after the Issuance Date shall be changed to the same or different number
of shares of any class or classes of stock, whether by reclassification,
exchange, substitution or otherwise (other than by way of a stock split or
combination of shares or stock dividends provided for in Sections 3.6(a)(i),
(ii) and (iii), or a reorganization, merger, consolidation, or sale of assets
provided for in Section 3.6(a)(v)), then, and in each event, an appropriate
revision to the Fixed Conversion Price shall be made and provisions shall be
made (by adjustments of the Conversion Price or otherwise) so that the Holder of
this Note shall have the right thereafter to convert this Note into the kind and
amount of shares of stock and other securities receivable upon reclassification,
exchange, substitution or other change, by holders of the number of shares of
Common Stock into which such share of Series C Preferred Stock might have been
converted immediately prior to such reclassification, exchange, substitution or
other change, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

            (v) Adjustments for Reorganization, Merger, Consolidation or Sales
of Assets. If at any time or from time to time after the Issuance Date there
shall be a capital reorganization of the Maker (other than by way of a stock
split or combination of shares or stock dividends or distributions provided for
in Section 3.6(a)(i), (ii) and (iii), or a reclassification, exchange or
substitution of shares provided for in Section 3.6(a)(iv)), or a merger or
consolidation of the Maker with or into another corporation, or the sale of all
or substantially all of the Maker's properties or assets to any other person (an
"Organic Change"), then as a part of such Organic Change an appropriate revision
to the applicable Conversion Price shall be made and provision shall be made (by
adjustments of the Conversion Price or otherwise) so that the Holder shall have
the right thereafter to convert this Note into the kind and amount of shares of
stock and other securities or property of the Maker or any successor corporation
resulting from Organic Change. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be
made in the application of the provisions of this Section 3.6(a)(v) with respect
to the rights of the Holder after the Organic Change to the end that the
provisions of this Section 3.6(a)(v) (including any adjustment in the applicable
Conversion Price then in effect and the number of shares of stock or other
securities deliverable upon conversion of this Note) shall be applied after that
event in as nearly an equivalent manner as may be practicable.

            (vi) Adjustments for Issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock.
If the Maker shall, at any time or from time to time after the Issuance Date,
issue any shares of Common Stock (otherwise than as provided in the foregoing
subsections (i) through (v) of this Section 3.6))(the "Additional Shares of
Common Stock") for a consideration per share less than the applicable Conversion
Price then in effect or less than the Closing Bid Price then in effect (the "Per
Share Market Value") or without consideration, then the applicable Conversion
Price

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

upon each such issuance shall be adjusted to that price (rounded to the nearest
cent) determined by multiplying the applicable Conversion Price then in effect
by a fraction,

                  (1) the numerator of which shall be equal to the sum of (A)
      the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to the
      issuance of such Additional Shares of Common Stock plus (B) the number of
      shares of Common Stock (rounded to the nearest whole share) which the
      aggregate consideration for the total number of such Additional Shares of
      Common Stock so issued would purchase at a price per share equal to the
      greater of the Per Share Market Value then in effect and the applicable
      Conversion Price then in effect, and

                  (2) the denominator of which shall be equal to the number of
      shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after the issuance of such
      Additional Shares of Common Stock.

            The provisions of this subsection (vi) shall not apply under any of
the circumstances for which an adjustment is provided in subsections (i), (ii),
(iii), (iv) or (v) of this Section 3.6(a). No adjustment of the applicable
Conversion Price shall be made under this subsection (a)(vi) upon the issuance
of any Additional Shares of Common Stock which are issued pursuant to any Common
Stock Equivalent (as such term is defined hereinafter) if upon the issuance of
such Common Stock Equivalent (x) any adjustment shall have been made pursuant to
subsection (vii) of this Section 3.6(a) or (y) no adjustment was required
pursuant to subsection (vii) of this Section 3.6(a). No adjustment of the
applicable Conversion Price shall be made under this subsection (vi) in an
amount less than $.01 per share, but any such lesser adjustment shall be carried
forward and shall be made at the time and together with the next subsequent
adjustment, if any, which together with any adjustments so carried forward shall
amount to $.01 per share or more; provided that upon any adjustment of the
applicable Conversion Price as a result of any dividend or distribution payable
in Common Stock or Convertible Securities (as defined below) or the
reclassification, subdivision or combination of Common Stock into a greater or
smaller number of shares, the foregoing figure of $.01 per share (or such figure
as last adjusted) shall be adjusted (to the nearest one-half cent) in proportion
to the adjustment in the applicable Conversion Price.

            (vii) Issuance of Common Stock Equivalents. If the Maker, at any
time after the Issuance Date, shall issue any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, directly or indirectly, Common Stock ("Convertible
Securities"), other than this Note, or any rights or warrants or options to
purchase any such Common Stock or Convertible Securities, shall be issued or
sold (collectively, the "Common Stock Equivalents") and the price per share for
which Additional Shares of Common Stock may be issuable thereafter pursuant to
such Common Stock Equivalent shall be less than the applicable Conversion Price
then in effect or less than the Per Share Market Value then in effect, or if,
after any such issuance of Common Stock Equivalents, the price per share for
which Additional Shares of Common Stock may be issuable thereafter is amended or
adjusted, and such price as so amended shall be less than the applicable
Conversion Price or less than the Per Share Market Value in effect at the time
of such amendment, then the applicable Conversion Price upon each such issuance
or amendment shall be adjusted as provided in the first sentence of subsection
(vi) of this Section 3.6(a) on the basis that (1) the maximum number of
Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to all such Common

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

Stock Equivalents shall be deemed to have been issued (whether or not such
Common Stock Equivalents are actually then exercisable, convertible or
exchangeable in whole or in part) as of the earlier of (A) the date on which the
Maker shall enter into a firm contract for the issuance of such Common Stock
Equivalent, or (B) the date of actual issuance of such Common Stock Equivalent,
and (2) the aggregate consideration for such maximum number of Additional Shares
of Common Stock shall be deemed to be the minimum consideration received or
receivable by the Maker for the issuance of such Additional Shares of Common
Stock pursuant to such Common Stock Equivalent. No adjustment of the applicable
Conversion Price shall be made under this subsection (vii) upon the issuance of
any Convertible Security which is issued pursuant to the exercise of any
warrants or other subscription or purchase rights therefore, if any adjustment
shall previously have been made to the exercise price of such warrants then in
effect upon the issuance of such warrants or other rights pursuant to this
subsection (vii). If no adjustment is required under this subsection (vii) upon
issuance of any Common Stock Equivalent or once an adjustment is made under this
subsection (vii) based upon the Per Share Market Value in effect on the date of
such adjustment, no further adjustment shall be made under this subsection (vii)
based solely upon a change in the Per Share Market Value after such date.

            (viii) Consideration for Stock. In case any shares of Common Stock
or any Common Stock Equivalents shall be issued or sold:

                  (1) in connection with any merger or consolidation in which
      the Maker is the surviving corporation (other than any consolidation or
      merger in which the previously outstanding shares of Common Stock of the
      Maker shall be changed to or exchanged for the stock or other securities
      of another corporation), the amount of consideration therefore shall be,
      deemed to be the fair value, as determined reasonably and in good faith by
      the Board of Directors of the Maker, of such portion of the assets and
      business of the nonsurviving corporation as such Board may determine to be
      attributable to such shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities,
      rights or warrants or options, as the case may be; or

                  (2) in the event of any consolidation or merger of the Maker
      in which the Maker is not the surviving corporation or in which the
      previously outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Maker shall be
      changed into or exchanged for the stock or other securities of another
      corporation, or in the event of any sale of all or substantially all of
      the assets of the Maker for stock or other securities of any corporation,
      the Maker shall be deemed to have issued a number of shares of its Common
      Stock for stock or securities or other property of the other corporation
      computed on the basis of the actual exchange ratio on which the
      transaction was predicated, and for a consideration equal to the fair
      market value on the date of such transaction of all such stock or
      securities or other property of the other corporation. If any such
      calculation results in adjustment of the applicable Conversion Price, or
      the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this
      Note, the determination of the applicable Conversion Price or the number
      of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Series C
      Preferred Stock immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or sale,
      shall be made after giving effect to such adjustment of the number of
      shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

            (b) Record Date. In case the Maker shall take record of the holders
of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to subscribe for or
purchase Common Stock or Convertible Securities, then the date of the issue or
sale of the shares of Common Stock shall be deemed to be such record date.

            (c) Certain Issues Excepted. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Maker shall not be required to make any adjustment of the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note upon the
grant after the Closing Date of, or the exercise after the Closing Date of,
options or warrants or rights to purchase stock under the Maker's existing stock
option plan.

            (d) No Impairment. The Maker shall not, by amendment of its
Certificate of Incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets,
consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other
voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of
the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Maker, but will at all
times in good faith, assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this
Section 3.6 and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or
appropriate in order to protect the Conversion Rights of the Holder against
impairment. In the event the Holder shall elect to convert any portion of this
Note as provided herein, the Maker cannot refuse conversion based on any claim
that Holder or any one associated or affiliated with the Holder has been engaged
in any violation of law, unless, an injunction from a court, on notice,
restraining and/or adjoining conversion of all or any portion of this Note shall
have been issued and the Maker posts a surety bond for the benefit of the Holder
in the amount of the difference between the Conversion Price and the Closing Bid
Price on the trading day preceding the date of the attempted conversion
multiplied by the principal amount of this Note sought to be converted, which
bond shall remain in effect until the completion of arbitration/litigation of
the dispute and the proceeds of which shall be payable to such holder in the
event it obtains judgment.

            (e) Certificates as to Adjustments. Upon occurrence of each
adjustment or readjustment of the Fixed Conversion Price or number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of this Note pursuant to this Section 3.6,
the Maker at its expense shall promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment
in accordance with the terms hereof and furnish to the Holder a certificate
setting forth such adjustment and readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon
which such adjustment or readjustment is based. The Maker shall, upon written
request of the Holder, at any time, furnish or cause to be furnished to such
holder a like certificate setting forth such adjustments and readjustments, the
applicable Conversion Price in effect at the time, and the number of shares of
Common Stock and the amount, if any, of other securities or property which at
the time would be received upon the conversion of this Note. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Maker shall not be obligated to deliver a certificate unless such
certificate would reflect an increase or decrease of at least one percent (1%)
of such adjusted amount.

            (f) Issue Taxes. The Maker shall pay any and all issue and other
taxes, excluding federal, state or local income taxes, that may be payable in
respect of any issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on conversion of this
Note pursuant thereto; provided, however, that the Maker shall not be obligated
to pay any transfer taxes resulting from any transfer requested by any holder in
connection with any such conversion.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>

            (g) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be
issued upon conversion of this Note. In lieu of any fractional shares to which
the Holder would otherwise be entitled, the Maker shall pay cash equal to the
product of such fraction multiplied by the average of the Closing Bid Prices of
the Common Stock for the five (5) consecutive trading days immediately preceding
the Conversion Date.

            (h) Reservation of Common Stock. The Maker shall at all times when
this Note shall be outstanding, reserve and keep available out of its authorized
but unissued Common Stock, such number of share of Common Stock as shall from
time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of this Note and all
interest accrued thereon; provided that the number of shares of Common Stock so
reserved shall at no time be less than 200% of the number of shares of Common
Stock for which this Note and all interest accrued thereon are at any time
convertible. The Maker shall, from time to time in accordance with the Delaware
General Corporation Law, as amended, increase the authorized number of shares of
Common Stock if at any time the unissued number of authorized shares shall not
be sufficient to satisfy the Maker's obligations under this Section 3.6(i).

            (i) Regulatory Compliance. If any shares of Common Stock to be
reserved for the purpose of conversion of this Note or any interest accrued
thereon require registration or listing with or approval of any governmental
authority, stock exchange or other regulatory body under any federal or state
law or regulation or otherwise before such shares may be validly issued or
delivered upon conversion, the Maker shall, at its sole cost and expense, in
good faith and as expeditiously as possible, endeavor to secure such
registration, listing or approval, as the case may be.

      Section 3.7 Prepayment.

            (a) Prepayment Upon an Event of Default. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained herein, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
described in Sections 2.1(c)-(k) hereof, the Holder shall have the right, at
such Holder's option, to require the Maker to prepay all or a portion of this
Note at a price equal to Prepayment Price (as defined in Section 3.7(d) below)
applicable at the time of such request. Nothing in this Section 3.7(a) shall
limit the Holder's rights under Section 2.2 hereof.

            (b) Mechanics of Prepayment Upon an Event of Default. Within one (1)
day after the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Maker shall deliver written
notice thereof via facsimile and overnight courier ("Notice of Default") to the
Holder. At any time after the earlier of the Holder's receipt of a Notice of
Default and Holder becoming aware of an Event of Default, the Holder may require
the Maker to prepay all or a portion of the principal amount and interest
outstanding under this Note by delivering written notice thereof via facsimile
and overnight courier ("Notice of Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon an Event
of Default") to the Maker, which Notice of Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon
an Event of Default shall indicate (i) the amount of this Note that the Holder
is electing to have prepaid and (ii) the applicable Prepayment Price, as
calculated pursuant to Section 3.7(d) below.

            (c) Payment of Prepayment Price. Upon the Maker's receipt of a
Notice of Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon an Event of Default from the
Holder, the Maker shall

                                      -15-
<PAGE>

immediately notify the Holder by facsimile of the Maker's receipt of a Notice of
Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon an Event of Default and the Holder which has
sent such a notice shall promptly submit to the Maker this Note which Holder has
elected to have prepaid. The Maker shall pay the applicable Prepayment Price, in
the case of a prepayment pursuant to Section 3.7(b), to Holder within five (5)
business days after the Maker's receipt of a Notice of Prepayment at Option of
Holder Upon an Event of Default; provided that this Note shall have been so
delivered to the Maker. If the Maker shall fail to prepay all of the Notes
submitted for prepayment (other than pursuant to a dispute as to the arithmetic
calculation of the Prepayment Price), in addition to any remedy the Holder may
have under this Note and the Purchase Agreement, the applicable Prepayment Price
payable in respect of such unprepaid Notes shall bear interest at the rate of
2.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full. Until the Maker
pays such unpaid applicable Prepayment Price in full to the Holder, the Holder
shall have the option (the "Void Optional Prepayment Option") to, in lieu of
prepayment, require the Maker to promptly return to the Holder the Notes that
were submitted for prepayment by Holder under this Section 3.7 and for which the
applicable Prepayment Price has not been paid, by sending written notice thereof
to the Maker via facsimile (the "Void Optional Prepayment Notice"). Upon the
Maker's receipt of such Void Optional Prepayment Notice(s) and prior to payment
of the full applicable Prepayment Price to Holder, (i) the Notice(s) of
Prepayment at Option of Holder Upon an Event of Default shall be null and void
with respect to this Note submitted for prepayment and for which the applicable
Prepayment Price has not been paid, (ii) the Maker shall immediately return this
Note submitted to the Maker by the Holder for prepayment under this Section
3.7(c) and for which the applicable Prepayment Price has not been paid and (iii)
the Fixed Conversion Price of such returned Notes shall be adjusted to the
lesser of (A) the Fixed Conversion Price as in effect on the date on which the
Void Optional Prepayment Notice(s) is delivered to the Maker and (B) the lowest
Closing Bid Price during the period beginning on the date on which the Notice(s)
of Prepayment of Option of Holder Upon an Event of Default is delivered to the
Maker and ending on the date on which the Void Optional Prepayment Notice(s) is
delivered to the Maker; provided that no adjustment shall be made if such
adjustment would result in an increase of the Fixed Conversion Price then in
effect. A Holder's delivery of a Void Optional Prepayment Notice and exercise of
its rights following such notice shall not effect the Maker's obligations to
make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of such notice.

            (d) Maker's Prepayment Option. The Maker may, at the option of its
Board of Directors, prepay all or any portion of the outstanding principal
amount of this Note and pay the accrued and unpaid interest thereon upon five
(5) business days prior written notice to the Holder (the "Maker Prepayment
Notice") at the Prepayment Price set forth in subparagraph (e) below; provided,
that if the Holder has delivered a Conversion Notice to the Maker or delivers a
Conversion Notice after receipt of the Maker's Prepayment Notice, the portion of
the Note designated to be converted may not be prepaid by the Maker. The Maker
may not deliver a Maker Prepayment Notice to the Holder unless the Maker has
clear and good funds for a minimum of the amount it intends to prepay in a bank
account controlled by the Maker. The Maker Prepayment Notice shall state the
date of prepayment (the "Maker Prepayment Date"), the Prepayment Price, the
amount of the Note of such Holder to be prepaid, the amount of accrued and
unpaid interest through the Prepayment Date and shall call upon the Holder to
surrender to the Maker on the Maker Prepayment Date at the place designated in
the Maker Prepayment Notice such Holder's Note. The Maker Prepayment Date shall
be no more than five (5) trading

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

days after the date on which the Holder is notified of the Maker's intent to
prepay the Note (the "Maker Prepayment Notice Date"). If the Maker fails to pay
the Prepayment Price by the sixth (6th) trading day following the Maker
Prepayment Notice Date, the prepayment will be declared null and void and the
Maker shall lose its right to deliver a Maker Prepayment Notice to the Holder in
the future. On or after the Maker Prepayment Date, the Holder shall surrender
the Notes called for prepayment to the Maker at the place designated in the
Maker Prepayment Notice and shall thereupon be entitled to receive payment of
the applicable Prepayment Price.

            (e) Subject to the terms of Section 3.3(a) and Section 3.3(d) above,
all or a portion of this Note may be prepaid at a cash price equal to:

            (i) if the prepayment occurs within sixty (60) days from the Closing
Date, 110% of the principal amount of the Note outstanding plus any accrued but
unpaid interest;

            (ii) if the prepayment occurs between and including the sixty-first
(61st) and the one hundred twentieth (120th) day after the Closing Date, 114% of
the principal amount of the Note outstanding plus any accrued but unpaid
interest;

            (iii) if the prepayment occurs between and including the one hundred
twenty-first (121st) day and the one hundred eightieth (180th) day after the
Closing Date, 118% of the principal amount of the Note outstanding plus any
accrued but unpaid interest;

            (iv) if the prepayment occurs on or after the one hundred
eighty-first (181st) day after the Closing Date, 122% of the principal amount of
the Note outstanding plus any accrued but unpaid interest (the "Prepayment
Price)".

      Section 3.8 Inability to Fully Convert.

            (a) Holder's Option if Maker Cannot Fully Convert. If, upon the
Maker's receipt of a Conversion Notice, the Maker cannot issue shares of Common
Stock registered for resale under the Registration Statement for any reason,
including, without limitation, because the Maker (w) does not have a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock authorized and available, (x) failed to obtain
the Shareholder Approval or call the Stockholders Meeting within the time period
set forth in Section 3.5(a) hereof, (y) is otherwise prohibited by applicable
law or by the rules or regulations of any stock exchange, interdealer quotation
system or other self-regulatory organization with jurisdiction over the Maker or
any of its securities from issuing all of the Common Stock which is to be issued
to the Holder pursuant to a Conversion Notice or (z) fails to have a sufficient
number of shares of Common Stock registered for resale under the Registration
Statement, then the Maker shall issue as many shares of Common Stock as it is
able to issue in accordance with the Holder's Conversion Notice and pursuant to
Section 3.1(a) above and, with respect to the unconverted portion of the Note,
the Holder, solely at Holder's option, can elect to:

            (i) require the Maker to prepay that portion of the Note for which
the Maker is unable to issue Common Stock in accordance with the Holder's
Conversion Notice (the "Mandatory Prepayment") at a price per share equal to the
Prepayment Price as of such Conversion Date (the "Mandatory Prepayment Price");

                                      -17-
<PAGE>

            (ii) if the Maker's inability to fully convert is pursuant to
Section 3.8(a)(z) above, require the Maker to issue restricted shares of Common
Stock in accordance with such holder's Conversion Notice and pursuant to Section
3.1(a) above;

            (iii) void its Conversion Notice and retain or have returned, as the
case may be, the Note that was to be converted pursuant to the Conversion Notice
(provided that the Holder's voiding its Conversion Notice shall not effect the
Maker's obligations to make any payments which have accrued prior to the date of
such notice).

            (b) Mechanics of Fulfilling Holder's Election. The Maker shall
immediately send via facsimile to the Holder, upon receipt of a facsimile copy
of a Conversion Notice from the Holder which cannot be fully satisfied as
described in Section 3.8(a) above, a notice of the Maker's inability to fully
satisfy the Conversion Notice (the "Inability to Fully Convert Notice"). Such
Inability to Fully Convert Notice shall indicate (i) the reason why the Maker is
unable to fully satisfy such holder's Conversion Notice, (ii) the amount of the
Note which cannot be converted and (iii) the applicable Mandatory Prepayment
Price. The Holder shall notify the Maker of its election pursuant to Section
3.8(a) above by delivering written notice via facsimile to the Maker ("Notice in
Response to Inability to Convert").

            (c) Payment of Prepayment Price. If the Holder shall elect to have
its shares prepaid pursuant to Section 3.8(a)(i) above, the Maker shall pay the
Mandatory Prepayment Price in cash to the Holder within five (5) days of the
Maker's receipt of the Holder's Notice in Response to Inability to Convert,
provided that prior to the Maker's receipt of the Holder's Notice in Response to
Inability to Convert the Maker has not delivered a notice to the Holder stating,
to the satisfaction of the Holder, that the event or condition resulting in the
Mandatory Prepayment has been cured and all Conversion Shares issuable to the
Holder can and will be delivered to the Holder in accordance with the terms of
Section 3.3. If the Maker shall fail to pay the applicable Mandatory Prepayment
Price to the Holder on a timely basis as described in this Section 3.8(c) (other
than pursuant to a dispute as to the determination of the arithmetic calculation
of the Prepayment Price), in addition to any remedy the Holder may have under
this Note and the Purchase Agreement, such unpaid amount shall bear interest at
the rate of 2.0% per month (prorated for partial months) until paid in full.
Until the full Mandatory Prepayment Price is paid in full to the Holder, the
Holder may (i) void the Mandatory Prepayment with respect to that portion of the
Note for which the full Mandatory Prepayment Price has not been paid, (ii)
receive back such Note, and (iii) require that the Fixed Conversion Price of
such returned Note be adjusted to the lesser of (A) the Fixed Conversion Price
as in effect on the date on which the Holder voided the Mandatory Prepayment and
(B) the lowest Closing Bid Price during the period beginning on the Conversion
Date and ending on the date the Holder voided the Mandatory Prepayment.

      Section 3.9 No Rights as Shareholder. Nothing contained in this Note shall
be construed as conferring upon the Holder, prior to the conversion of this
Note, the right to vote or to receive dividends or to consent or to receive
notice as a shareholder in respect of any meeting of shareholders for the
election of directors of the Maker or of any other matter, or any other rights
as a shareholder of the Maker.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

      Section 4.1 Notices. Any notice, demand, request, waiver or other
communication required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be effective (a) upon hand delivery by telex (with correct answer back
received), telecopy or facsimile at the address or number designated in the
Purchase Agreement (if delivered on a business day during normal business hours
where such notice is to be received), or the first business day following such
delivery (if delivered other than on a business day during normal business hours
where such notice is to be received) or (b) on the second business day following
the date of mailing by express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such
address, or upon actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur.
The Maker will give written notice to the Holder at least twenty (20) days prior
to the date on which the Maker closes its books or takes a record (x) with
respect to any dividend or distribution upon the Common Stock, (y) with respect
to any pro rata subscription offer to holders of Common Stock or (z) for
determining rights to vote with respect to any Organic Change, dissolution,
liquidation or winding-up and in no event shall such notice be provided to such
holder prior to such information being made known to the public. The Maker will
also give written notice to the Holder at least twenty (20) days prior to the
date on which any Organic Change, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up will
take place and in no event shall such notice be provided to the Holder prior to
such information being made known to the public.

      Section 4.2 Governing Law. This Note shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without giving
effect to the choice of law provisions. This Note shall not be interpreted or
construed with any presumption against the party causing this Note to be
drafted.

      Section 4.3 Headings. Article and section headings in this Note are
included herein for purposes of convenience of reference only and shall not
constitute a part of this Note for any other purpose.

      Section 4.4 Remedies, Characterizations, Other Obligations, Breaches and
Injunctive Relief. The remedies provided in this Note shall be cumulative and in
addition to all other remedies available under this Note, at law or in equity
(including, without limitation, a decree of specific performance and/or other
injunctive relief), no remedy contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of
compliance with the provisions giving rise to such remedy and nothing herein
shall limit a holder's right to pursue actual damages for any failure by the
Maker to comply with the terms of this Note. Amounts set forth or provided for
herein with respect to payments, conversion and the like (and the computation
thereof) shall be the amounts to be received by the holder thereof and shall
not, except as expressly provided herein, be subject to any other obligation of
the Maker (or the performance thereof). The Maker acknowledges that a breach by
it of its obligations hereunder will cause irreparable and material harm to the
Holder and that the remedy at law for any such breach may be inadequate.
Therefore the Maker agrees that, in the event of any such breach or threatened
breach, the Holder shall be entitled, in addition to all other available rights
and remedies, at law or in equity, to seek and obtain such equitable relief,
including but not limited to an injunction restraining any such breach or
threatened breach,

                                      -19-
<PAGE>

without the necessity of showing economic loss and without any bond or other
security being required.

      Section 4.5 Enforcement Expenses. The Maker agrees to pay all costs and
expenses of enforcement of this Note, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses.

      Section 4.6 Binding Effect. The obligations of the Maker and the Holder
set forth herein shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of each such
party, whether or not such successors or assigns are permitted by the terms
hereof.

      Section 4.7 Amendments. This Note may not be modified or amended in any
manner except in writing executed by the Maker and the Holder.

      Section 4.8 Compliance with Securities Laws. The Holder of this Note
acknowledges that this Note is being acquired solely for the Holder's own
account and not as a nominee for any other party, and for investment, and that
the Holder shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of this Note. This Note
and any Note issued in substitution or replacement therefore shall be stamped or
imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

            "THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS NOTE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED
            UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT"),
            OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAW AND MAY NOT BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR
            OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S,
            REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER APPLICABLE STATE
            SECURITIES LAWS OR VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC. SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN
            OPINION OF ITS COUNSEL THAT REGISTRATION OF SUCH SECURITIES UNDER
            THE SECURITIES ACT AND UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF APPLICABLE STATE
            SECURITIES LAWS IS NOT REQUIRED.

            HEDGING TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY
            NOT BE CONDUCTED UNLESS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT."

      Section 4.9 Consent to Jurisdiction. Each of the Maker and the Holder (i)
hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District
Court sitting in the Southern District of New York and the courts of the State
of New York located in New York county for the purposes of any suit, action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Note and (ii) hereby waives, and
agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it
is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit,
action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of
the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Maker and the Holder
consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by
mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it
under the Purchase Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good
and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section
4.9 shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner
permitted by law.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>

      Section 4.10 Parties in Interest. This Note shall be binding upon, inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Maker, the Holder and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.

      Section 4.11 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver. No failure or delay on the
part of the Holder in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder
shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or
of any other right, power or privilege.

      Section 4.12 Maker Waivers. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, the Maker and all others that may become liable for all or any part of
the obligations evidenced by this Note, hereby waive presentment, demand, notice
of nonpayment, protest and all other demands' and notices in connection with the
delivery, acceptance, performance and enforcement of this Note, and do hereby
consent to any number of renewals of extensions of the time or payment hereof
and agree that any such renewals or extensions may be made without notice to any
such persons and without affecting their liability herein and do further consent
to the release of any person liable hereon, all without affecting the liability
of the other persons, firms or Maker liable for the payment of this Note, AND DO
HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY.

            (a) No delay or omission on the part of the Holder in exercising its
rights under this Note, or course of conduct relating hereto, shall operate as a
waiver of such rights or any other right of the Holder, nor shall any waiver by
the Holder of any such right or rights on any one occasion be deemed a waiver of
the same right or rights on any future occasion.

            (b) THE MAKER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TRANSACTION OF WHICH THIS NOTE
IS A PART IS A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION, AND TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE
LAW, HEREBY WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO NOTICE AND HEARING WITH RESPECT TO ANY
PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WHICH THE HOLDER OR ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS MAY DESIRE TO
USE.

                                       VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC.

                                       By: _____________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

                                      -21-
<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               WIRE INSTRUCTIONS.

Payee: ________________________________________________________

Bank:  ________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

         ______________________________________________________

Bank No.: _____________________________________________________

Account No.: __________________________________________________

Account Name: _________________________________________________

                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                                     FORM OF

                              NOTICE OF CONVERSION

     (To be Executed by the Registered Holder in order to Convert the Note)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert $ ________________ of the
principal amount of the above Note No. ___ into shares of Common Stock of
VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES, INC. (the "Maker") according to the conditions hereof, as
of the date written below.

Date of Conversion* ____________________________________________________________

Applicable Conversion Price * __________________________________________________

Signature_______________________________________________________________________

      [Name]

Address:________________________________________________________________________

        ________________________________________________________________________

* This original Notice of Conversion must be received by the Maker by the third
business date following the Conversion Date, and, if such conversion represents
the remaining principal balance of the Note, the original Note.

                                      -23-

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