Short stories

Tough day at work

"Tough day at work?" the barkeep asked. ''Just pour me another." she replied and traced the injury on her face. Well... face. She didn't even feel it anymore. Most of her had been replaced by now. That was the standard in this messed up world. It started with an arm. Her legs after that. How else was she going to keep up with the criminals that ruled the lower districts?

''You are lucky you replaced your eye and skull last year. It looks like it otherwise would have been messy.'' the barkeep said after pouring her something strong. ''Why not replace your other eye though.. I mean.. that part is still human right?'' he asks and she nodded. ''yes and I plan to keep it that way. It can see what the mechanical cannot. This left eye of mine? Do you have any idea how annoying it is seeing people's criminal records, unpaid fines and whatever every time I look at them?''

She downed the drink in one go, feeling the alcohol burn in her throat. ''Ahhh. That's a good one.'' she said, paying for the drink. ''It's funny though, you'd think people don't want to bother with food and drink since that is expensive. All these possibilities. I mean... look at you. A metal skull, a gun as an arm... but no. First that people initially do is making their youth permanent. Artificial skin. What used to be plastic surgery is now metal surgery.'' the barkeep said and refilled her glass.

''Well.. the fact people still need to eat and drink keeps you, in business.'' the woman said with a smirk and downed the drink again. When she wanted to pay again the barkeep refused. ''Nah. Thatone was on the house. For keeping me in business'' he said with a smirk. ''Thanks.'' 

She sighed, and the barkeep soon tended to another patron. Her reflection seen in the smudged mirror behind the many glasses. The metal of her skull visible. How long she wondered till all of her was replaced? Was she even still human now? Her brain was still at least. Things came to shit after the Medical Riots in 2047. She was there as a child, saw it all happen. Health care was only for the rich. The poor demanded the same technological advanced treatments. The first immortal wealthy men and women were of her generation too. Fully replaced with machinery hidden under artificial skin. The same ones still ruled most of the districts to this day. But as the poor demanded highly advanced treatment that actually did work, the rich wanted more as to not be associated with the poor. One thing lead to another.

Now, year 2071. Every machine body shop was able to give you a new arm. A new, prettier face. The age of people was long gone, cyborgs were the standard now. Some societies almost worshipping this technology and way of existing while others moved far away from it. From a communicator she heard some noise and and answered.

''Unit HS7. What is the emergency.'' she asked. Listened to the voice on the other side before answering. ''Understood. Unit HS7 will respond.'' she said and opened her arm, checking the amount of bullets and left. Outside, inhaling the scent of booze, piss and carfumes. ''2071... seriously... this sucks.'' she mumbled as she got on her motorbike and headed to the next scene. The neon lights and tall buildings making a strange scene as always in the night. A faint rainfall. The latter she was glad with. Where she was going, hopefully whomever had to be put out of comission tonight would have had a shitjob done on them with metal susceptible to rust.