Charlie's

16

The next transport that came through was a military convoy. They didn't have a psychological reconstruction specialist along, but they did have people who took care of the training sims so they knew their way around a sim bed. I showed the CO the system's report on Sarah's condition, signed the necessary forms, and watched as she was lifted off along with my survey reports.

I didn't make the poker game...didn't go in after Sarah's partitioning, or for a couple weeks after she was removed. I spent the time being in touch with the world around me, seeing the real sun, breathing the real air, feeling the real pitted surfaces of the rock faces. I didn't check my mail, or even listen to the radio. I spent a lot of time reading books I printed out on paper.

Eventually, though, there was no more scotch, and the rocks had begun looking like rocks. I decided it was time to head into town. Into Charlie's. Eddie was at the bar when I came in.

"Hey, Joe. Been a while."

"Yeah...been out in the field again. Had to get away."

"I hear ya. Sarah get off okay?"

"Far as I know. Haven't heard anything back."

"She's prob'ly fine. Them detox centers know how to treat people. You know, Marie's been askin' 'bout you. I kinda talked to her...I think she's over the whole thing. Y'oughta give her a call."

I accepted the beer from Tom with a grateful nod. "Thanks. I think I will."

"Hey, Joe?"

"Yeah?"

"You know this is a simulation, right?"

I took a moment to study myself in the bar's mirror.

"Yeah, Eddie. I know."