Cosmic Story Rays

Mind Over Matter

Is this the hardest day of my life?

Yes. No. Maybe.

The faceplate of the simulbot shines underneath the harsh lights. Will I shine like that when it's me? 

Will it really be me?

The doctor coughs, a polite puff of air designed to break my reverie. He must be used to this, he must have seen a thousand forced smiles like mine as I turn to him.

"I'm ready."

I hold the simulbot's hand while the doctor injects me. My body—my old, broken, human body—will be gone when I wake up behind the faceplate. I squeeze tightly, trying to transfer just a hint of human touch to the smooth metal and plasticene hand that will be mine in a moment.

The needle slides into my neck with barely a pinch, and all my frail biological impulses fade into black.