Results for Replic 264.A
<results for instances of “why”>
19:20 08.09.2117
<setting> replication building, fluorescent lights in high ceilings, white walls </setting>
<insert> 90X70 screen, with human-like people smiling in different positions </insert>
<script style=text: black, bold, across the whole screen>
“LIVE FOREVER.
NEVER SAY GOODBYE TO LOVED ONES.
HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD.
REPLICATE YOURSELF TODAY.” </script>
<insert> receptionist, glasses, typing </insert>
<insert> self, female, aged 9.59726, dark curly hair, eating a lollipop with one hand, holding male with other </insert>
<insert> male, aged 39.3424, holding female in hand </insert>
<script style=voice: receptionist, perky, exhausted>
“Here is some final paperwork for you.” </script>
<insert> stack of 7 papers, sliding across the counter with the words “ELECTIVE REPLIC SURGERY” on top </insert>
<script style=voice: female, young, unsure, curious>
“What does that mean? Why are you signing that?” </script>
<script style=voice: male, tired, squeezes her hand>
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” </script>
#
15:35 09.20.2117
<setting> outside, bright and sunny, endless blue skies too bright to process </setting>
<insert> self, female, aged 9.71233, dark curly hair, staring at hand </insert>
<insert> male, aged 39.45735, running to female </insert>
<insert> knife, in female’s hand, sharp, against throat, bleeding </insert>
<script style=voice: male, sharp, scared, loud>
“Put that down, Alice.” </script>
<script style=voice: female, curious, monotone>
“Why is there so much blood?” </script>
<insert> tears, dripping down female’s face onto knife </insert>
<script style=voice: female, crying>
“Is this what death feels like?” </script>
<script style=voice: male, sighing, clearly holding something back>
“Let’s get you to the hospital, sweetie.” </script>
#
10:45 04.30.2124
<setting> outside, tall buildings reaching to the skies </setting>
<insert> 32 signs, held by 34 people </insert>
<script style=text: written with red marker>
“REAL HUMANS DON’T HAVE CODE
DYING GIVES US A REASON TO LIVE
A SOUL CAN’T BE BROKEN INTO CODE
WITHOUT DEATH, IT’S ALL POINTLESS” </script>
<insert> self, female, aged 17.39452, dark curly hair, walking through the crowds with books in hands </insert>
<script style=voice: female, mumbling to self>
“You’re human. You’re human. You’re human.” </script>
#
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20:50 05.25.2125
<setting> house, rooftop, dark and starry, 4,789,241 twinkles </setting>
<insert> self, female, aged 16.32603, dark curly hair, standing on edge of the roof </insert>
<insert> partner, sitting next to female </insert>
<script style=voice: female, young, whispering, as though if she talks too loud people will hear>
“Do you want to… you know, replicate yourself?” </script>
<script style=voice: partner, even quieter>
“I don’t see why not. It would be cool to live forever.” </script>
<script style=voice: female, muffled from wiping eyes with sleeve>
“A coded copy… living forever.” </script>
#
23:23 1.20.2126
<setting> park, empty, overwhelming darkness </setting>
<insert> 42 trees and bushes </insert>
<insert> pathway through trees and bushes </insert>
<insert> park bench, stained with bird excrement on one side </insert>
<insert> self, female, aged 18.05205, dark curly hair, sitting on park bench </insert>
<insert> phone, in female’s hand, showing a search screen </insert>
<script style=text: typed, into search bar>
“Why can’t I die?” </script>
#
19:34 02.01.2126
<setting> bedroom </setting>
<insert> bed, red with four tall wooden posts </insert>
<insert> nightstand, stacked with books </insert>
<insert> books, stacked on a tissue box </insert>
<insert> half-eaten apple, red delicious, on the verge of molding, stacked on 7.5 half-used tissues and a picture of an older female smiling </insert>
<insert> self, female, aged 18.08493, dark curly hair, squeezing a stuffed animal bear with a missing eye and stitched up left arm </insert>
<insert> male, aged 47.83014, knocking outside on door </insert>
<script style=voice: male, older, gentler, full of unexpected wisdom>
“I know it’s hard sweetie, but it was meant to be. Your mom lived a good life.” </script>
<script style=voice: female, sniffling, whispering>
“Why…” </script>
<script style=voice: male, sighing>
“Because we can’t afford—” </script>
<script style=voice: female, strong>
“Why did you save me but you won’t save her?” </script>
<script style=voice: male, defensive>
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” </script>
<script style=voice: female, clear>
“I’ve been doing some research. Humans aren’t immune to death like me. Humans don’t search their memories by inputting commands into their brains. And my memories say that I’m… I’m a replic. I’m a coded copy of myself.” </script>
<script style=voice: male, soft, persistent>
“But you’re a coded copy that gets to live forever. You can live without the fear of death.” </script>
<script style=voice: female, mumbling to self while staring at the photograph>
“Without death.” </script>
<insert> silence </insert>
</results end>
Camden Rose is a queer author who loves seeking out magic beneath the everyday world. Her works have appeared with Inner Worlds and Heartlines Spec. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her spouse, black cats, and collection of books and board games. You can find her online at www.camdenscorner.com.