Yellow Mama E zine

The Perils of Wife Cloning

 

by Bruce Costello

 

           The advertisement blaring from the street speaker had particular meaning for Derek on that day of all days. 

 

         “Conquer death!” a strident metallic voice proclaimed. “Eliminate grief! Before your partner dies, take them to Smith Clone Robotics, Ltd. Their friendly staff will scan your dying partner from top to toe, then design and manufacture an exact clone to be activated on the day they die. Imagine, your own Robot Clone, not merely identical to the deceased partner, but better, yes, you heard right, BETTER!—custom designed to experience and express only positive emotions like pleasure and happiness. All negative emotions will be completely eliminated from their psyche. Imagine, no more moaning, no more sadness, no more anger! And remember, there’s 10% off retail during the Black Friday sale. An opportunity too good to miss! Hurry along to Smith Clone Robotics, High Street, today!” 

 

         Barbara Two was just like Barbara One and Derek treated her the same, constantly belittling and bullying her, but she just smiled. Unlike Barbara One, she did not become upset or angry and never protested about the way Derek treated her. The more he abused her, the more she liked it. And she never turned on him with tears or anger.

           One night, when he was in one of his rare good moods, Derek told Barbara Two how satisfied he was with her.

           “The ability to feel negative emotions has been eliminated from my psyche,” she smiled, “but my cognitive powers are intact. There is nothing wrong with my brain. I know a great deal. And I particularly know what would give me the greatest pleasure.”

           She extracted from her handbag a ray gun and pointed it at Derek.

           She grinned from ear to ear when she saw the horrified look on his face. Then she pulled the trigger and doubled up with laughter as he slowly disintegrated.

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       In 2010, New Zealander Bruce Costello retired from work and city life, retreated to the seaside village of Hampden, joined the Waitaki Writers’Group and took up writing as a pastime. Since then, he has had 166 short story successes— publications in literary journals (including Yellow Mama) anthologies and popular magazines, and contest places and wins.

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       Luis Cuauhtémoc Berriozábal lives in California and works in the mental health field in Los Ángeles. His artwork has appeared over the years in Medusa’s Kitchen, Nerve Cowboy, The Dope Fiend Daily, and Rogue Wolf Press, Venus in Scorpio Poetry E-Zine.