The Legacy Wife

Tim and Freda are on their mansion’s roof. There is a light, pyrotechnic, and drone show commemorating the country’s 300^th Anniversary. Tim appears about 40, Freda appears about 20. The night is warm and dry. The show ends with “300” in the sky.

As the illumination fades Tim turns to Freda.

“This was much bigger than the 250^th celebration.”

“A tricentennial is a bigger milestone than a semi quincentennial.”

“That’s true.”

Tim stargazes for a while. He turns to Freda.

“It has been a long time since we sat and watched the night sky.”

“It is time for you to find a new wife Tim.”

Dianne quick steps through a mall restored to how it looked at the turn of the 21^st century. The public transportation was behind schedule so she must hurry to get to work on time. She runs past a woman with a scarlet “A” drawn on her forehead. Dianne, out of breath, opens the staff entrance.

Her boss, Ben, appears on a screen.

“Dependable Dianne. You arrived with three minutes to spare. I appreciate your caution about the tardy trans.”

“Thank you.”

“A new employee has yet to arrive. Her name is Katy, a musician.”

“Alright.”

“Keep the customers entertained.”

The screen changes to a list and a picture of Katy.

Dianne steps into a booth.

Katy strolls through the mall. She reaches the staff entrance.

Dianne steps out of the booth dressed in early 20^th century clothing.

“Katy you’re late. Trans late?”

“Yes Katy and yes.”

“There’s the changing booth. Ask for early 20^th century. I’ll be back soon.”

Dianne dashes off and Katy saunters into the booth.

Katy waits outside the booth. Dianne returns and whisks her to a large ballroom.

The customers are dressed in clothing from various eras. The table servers are in upscale early 21^st century attire.

Dianne sings and Katy accompanies her on a piano.

There are many women and a couple of men at the bar. Some of the customers dance on the dance floor. Dianne notices one woman “cuts in” on a dancing couple. The woman who was dancing steps to a table. A while later the man and the other woman appears at that table. The woman writes a scarlet “A” on her forehead and leaves.

***

Dianne and Katy exit the staff entrance and walk down the corridor.

Dianne continues her overview. “He’s one of the biggest non-technical employers in the metro.”

“I didn’t think my music degree would get me a job.”

“You will be asked to serve tables or do other jobs when needed.”

“I understand. What I don’t understand is why he employs us? CG is flawless.”

Dianne chuckles, “Our occasional mistakes make it more realistic.”

“What about servers?”

“Personality, mood, poor diction –“

“More realistic. I get it.”

“They pay for a past fantasy. Wealthy spend wealth in strange ways.”

“I notice the women are accepting of being usurped.”

“The usurped are androids. That scarlet A they apply.”

“Stands for android?”

“That way nobody gets embarrassed by flirting with them.”

Katy giggles, “Refinement. The women at the bar?”

“Mostly on government standard. A couple like us have additional income.”

“Looking to get a handsome prince.”

Dianne snickers, “Handsome is usually optional.”

“What about upscale women?”

“The book says women and men act the same. Women coming in with a facsimile are rare.”

“I would go alone before I’d go with a make-believe man.”

“My feelings exactly.”

***

Dianne and Katy approach an early 21^st century vehicle. A facsimile with an A on her forehead stands next to the vehicle as it buttons up a chauffer’s uniform. It puts on a chauffer’s cap and opens a rear side door.

Katy looks puzzled, “That facsimile looks familiar.”

Dianne, “A facsimile of an actor who was famous when that vehicle was new.”

“That legal?”

“If they buy the rights. They can purchase the actor or the persona replica rights. They almost always buy the persona.”

Katy muffles her laugh.

“It gets better. Sometimes replica rights are part of a divorce settlement.”

“You mean--“

“Yes, say a pair is together for five years. One of the pair might pay the other to have a replica of the other with a personality from the first or second year they were together.”

“I’m in a strange world right now.”

“One thing you’re going to find strange is when you get your compensation.”

“I know about the purchasing power.”

“About 40% will go to taxes and fees.”

“What!”

“Employment equals taxpayer.”

“I wish he told me this.”

“You’re still ahead of the game. A taste of what the other class deals with.”

Dianne is in her one room apartment. She keeps it clean but has five maintenance requests on it, the oldest going back three months. The status for each of them is, “request being processed.”

She has a scheduled virtual date with Tim. She picks from a listing of background. Tim is already live. This pleases Dianne. She decides to wait a couple of minutes before going live.

It was a cordial date with nothing suggestive. She accepted his invitation to an in-face date at a place of her choosing.

Over the next three months they meet whenever she has the time. Tim is upfront about himself. He’s a 65-year-old widower. He loved his spouse. He has no children. He doesn’t boast about his wealth. Dianne did some research and learned he’s at least as well off as he appears.

After dating for three months, Dianne asked Tim to come to her workplace so he can see her perform. Tim shows up, looking out of place in contemporary clothing. He sits alone. He appears self-conscious. Tim’s uneasy look morphs into a smile when Dianne sings.

After her shift Dianne joins Tim at his table. He compliments her on how well she sings. They talk for a while then Dianne coaxes Tim to the dance floor. His dancing is awkward, which he freely acknowledges.

Three months later Tim takes Dianne to the opera and dinner. He takes her to a secluded spot overlooking the city. He gets down on one knee, hands her a card, and proposes marriage. She accepts. Tim takes Dianne to her apartment. On the way she looks over the engagement ring selections on the card. Dianne makes her selection as the vehicle arrives at the apartment. Tim confirms the order. He walks her to the door. They kiss. She enters her apartment and Tim returns to his vehicle.

Images of Tim and Freda adorn the mansion’s inside. There are still and motion images. The wedding sequence dominates the living room. Tim appears the same age as Freda. The images mark the couple’s aging. Most images show Tim as happy and Freda reserved. The later images show a frail Freda and a forlorn Tim, both forcing smiles.

Tim, wearing a traditional tuxedo, descends a spiral staircase and Freda joins him at the bottom. Tim stands still as Freda looks him over as if it was a military inspection.

“You got everything right Tim.”

“Thank you, Freda. I’ll be back with Dianne after the honeymoon.”

“Try not to be nervous at the wedding, and make the most of the next two week.”

“Thank you.”

Tim exits the mansion.

Freda marches to a console and brings up financial reports on the large monitor.

Freda studies the numbers until the screen changes to Tim and Dianne’s wedding.

Freda makes a couple of strokes on the console. The Tim and Freda wedding sequence in the living room changes to the Tim and Dianne wedding sequence.

Dianne is impressed with the mansion's size and elegance. Tim opens the front door and Dianne enters. The spiral staircase draws her attention. She hurries to the staircase and waltzes up the steps. When she reaches the top, she parades down. She notices her and Tim’s images adorn the room. Tim’s images are all recent.

“You had someone decorate.”

“Someone handles the decorations. I hope you approve?”

“I do.”

Tim stays with Dianne as she explores her new home.

“Were there changes beyond images?”

“Yes, some. I think they are for the better.”

Dianne and Tim take an elevator to the basement.

Freda is at a console. She stands.

“Welcome Dianne.”

Dianne is mortified.

“Dianne, this is Freda.”

“Tim, Dianne and I need to have a woman’s conversation.”

“Alright.” Tim boards the elevator and waves as it ascends.

When Tim is out of sight Dianne turns to Freda. Dianne has a look to kill.

“You object to me Dianne?”

“I will not share him with a fantasy replica of his dead wife. I thought I married a decent man. He’s no better than those customers where I work.”

“I’m not anatomically correct.”

Dianne’s anger drains from her face.

“Why didn’t he make you complete?”

“Because he’s better than those customers you despise.”

“He just keeps you for memory?”

“Memory and advice. I recommended he remarry. This is your house you may sit anytime you wish.”

Dianne sits, “You recommended he remarry?”

“Most of my advice is unsolicited. Tim was dwelling too much on the past for too long.”

“You recommended me?”

“I compiled a list of women who I believed would be a suitable match. He chose you.”

“How did I make the list?”

“Your ideal man is a rare man. Age difference doesn’t bother you. You wish to do better than the government standard. I think I should tell you about Tim’s first marriage?”

“Then tell me.”

“When the wedding bliss wore off, I realized Tim lacked ambition and savvy.”

“How long did the bliss last?”

“About a month. I found him a job and convinced him to pay for some instructions. This got him a good paying job.”

“I can tell from the size of this house.”

“It wasn’t our jobs. Frugality and good investments. My health failed as we were able to reap the benefits.”

“That’s terrible.”

“We had enough wealth for medical tourism but I didn’t respond to treatment.”

“He had enough left over to order a facsimile.”

“Yes, and much more.”

“Sad story.”

“The result is what you now have. Enjoy it.”

“Thank you, Freda.”

THE END