Too Good To Be True

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Brian's new found freedom and relationship made him happier than he had ever been. He was back in his lab, now with partner, someone who shared his same passion. They did butt heads occasionally, but Beth was just as smart as Brian ever was, maybe even smarter. Their relationship progressed and Beth moved in to Brian's house. He made a conscious effort to make his relationship a priority. They had plenty of date nights, friends outside their work, and it was better than any dream that Brian could fabricate. As good as it had been, they also had experienced some tension in their personal and working lives. Beth had certain ideas they should do with the reactor, Brian was more apprehensive because he did not want to take any chances in disrupting his life again. He had lost all interest in the fame and fortune of such a great invention. Brian was content with his new life with Beth, and was grateful for how far he had come in this new life. He was not going to screw this up, and it wasn't worth risking another world like the last. Beth as well had a new lease on life, but the need for recognition and power was starting to blind her.


Beth was always curious about the other dimension he had experienced, and every so often she would pick Brian's brain about what he experienced. He happily obliged her and even though he had told her the tales many time, he would try and dive deep in his memories and tell her another piece of the story that would come to him. She particularly loved the story of his first day in a new body and his struggles with coming to terms with his reality. Beth found it hilarious that his first experience was having to deal with the smart car and struggling to comfortably fit in it, let alone try and sleep in it. This time they were back in the lab, and were getting close to solving the riddle of what had happened when Brian first attempted the test. 


Telling the story again, Brian remembered and reluctantly told her about being robbed, and how he left a helpless girl who had asked for help. Brian justified it as trying to fix the world, what else was he going to do with a man pointing a gun at him. The girls life was not his problem at the time.

As Brian told the story, he noticed Beth's demeanor had changed. She was not enjoying the story as she had in the past. 


Beth stopped Brian and told her she had something important to say,

"This is going to change what you think of me, but you need to know" Beth explained.


"I remember it all, all the pain and suffering you caused. I woke up and figured out I had somehow taken over your life. I knew you would eventually come looking for me, and I was looking forward to it. While I was waiting, I had some time to think. For once in my life I was a leader in my field of work. I didn't have to do anything, I woke up and my life was perfect. A large salary, a government contract, my own lab, and I was so close to fame. I made a terrible decision to continue stealing your life. I did not think you would try so hard to convince me of what happened. Once I found out they put you in a mental institution, I felt guilty and knew I had to do something." Beth said reluctantly.


"But why are you telling me all this now? How could you keep this in for all these months?" asked Brian.


"I didn't put the pieces together then but you just added another piece to your story. The part about the girl in the car getting robbed. I was the girl in the car. I realized it was you let me down.

 You were my only hope that day. I was being held hostage and I met you on the highway. I was with the man who robbed you. The man who was holding me against my will. The man who beat me, did whatever he wanted to me, and dragged me around murdering and pillaging all day. I should have realized this, because how many people in a smart car would have been robbed on that day. I asked you for help and you didn't do anything. You were so selfishly caught up in your problems, that you weren't even willing to help a poor helpless girl. I could look past the mayhem you caused because of your dream. You didn't know what would happen, and I thought you were truly trying to help the world. Now I see the greed, the deceit, and a pathetic man who was so blinded by his ego" Beth ranted in rage.

"I am so sorry that happened to you, I was shocked and blinded by the situation. It is all my fault you went through that" Brian tried to explain.


Beth didn't want to hear it. She was enraged that Brian was not only the cause of all the chaos she endured, but given the chance to help, he was too worried about himself and his work. Without another word she turned, walked away and turned on the reactor.


"Maybe I'll see you in a new world Brian, but this is my time to shine" said Beth.


Brian was shocked, he had nothing to say. His roller coaster of emotions was too much for Brian to comprehend. He sat there dumbfounded as he heard the familiar hiss of the over pressure relief. The buzzing of the electronics and that all too familiar warm bright light. Brian shut his eyes and accepted his fate.

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