A Case in the Empire of New Texas
"Get in," he says, shoving the clone towards the box. He has to lift the clone up because of the way its arms are
restrained by the cuffs. It squirms a bit inside the box, trying to get comfortable before lying still.
"As Patrick Henry said," says the clone, "'Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains
and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! — I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or
give me death!"'
"What did you say?" He says. He wasn't sure until just now the clone could even talk. But it doesn't repeat itself or
say anything else. It doesn't look at him when he tries to ask it questions. So he shrugs, shuts the box and the bed
cover, and gets into the driver seat. He turns the truck over and begins driving to the collection center assigned to
the case.
He doesn't feel how he thought he would after completing this case. For him, it had been close to the perfect job.
Well, until that clone ruined his video with whatever the hell it was saying. He's pretty sure he can't use any of the
last part of the capture on his channel. He'll probably just have to cut the whole sequence after apprehending the
clone. He doesn't have enough time to edit the video so the clone doesn't talk. (Goddamn meat mannequins!) If he
waits too long to post the video, his followers will harangue him and maybe leave his stream. If that happens, he'll
probably end up with less positive reviews, and he doesn't want that. He tells himself the payday is still huge, but it
doesn't make him feel better about the video.
He did get the job done, though. (I mean, of course I did!) He's a winner. He's no fool. And besides, he's got his
freedom. UJ