FICTION
Evie
Flash Fiction — A Science Fiction Tale
Is it true, Miko?”
“Yes, sir. I am afraid it is. Would you like to see the video?”
Dr. Bishop Stone shakes his head and closes his eyes. “No, I wouldn’t like to see, but I must,” he replies as he opens his eyes and motions toward Miko. “Play it.”
Miko waves his hand in the air and a screen appears. The tragic scene unfolds. A young girl, drowned. A Living Doll still floats in the lake. The parents huddle together, weeping. It ends with a crowd calling for the end of all Living Doll production.
Bishop cradles his head in his hands. This is not why he started Living Doll Corp. The loss of his own daughter had spurned the idea. With a one-child maximum law in effect, there had been no other child to comfort him, but he had the technology to create a doll as real as any child, and he did so. Soon parents everywhere wanted one for themselves or for their own children to give them a sister or brother that they’d never have otherwise. He wishes he’d never made the dolls public.
“What are you going to do, sir?”
Had he made them too real? All he wanted was Evie back. Was that too much to ask? He never thought a child would drown in an attempt to save one of his creations. Why didn’t her parents explain? Why let a child believe a lie? Then he realizes that he too has been living a lie.
“Stop production,” Bishop replies as he stands up from his desk.
“Are you sure, sir? We could add warning labels, issue new instructions, or something. I could get the team together to work on it.”
Bishop ponders the possibilities. Would the dolls still be safe? Or would another child or even a parent die to save one from harm? No, he can’t take that risk. They have to halt all production.
“Just send a release, Miko. We will close up shop effective immediately.”
Miko takes out a tablet and punches in some information for a press release. “Should we issue a recall, sir?”
Bishop paces. Would it be fair to strip everyone of their dolls? Should he even destroy his own?
“Yes, yes. You’d better. I don’t want any more lives destroyed.”
Bishop leaves his office and walks up to his living quarters. His Evie sits at a piano playing a tune. He walks over and stands behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders. When she finishes, she turns around in her seat and smiles up at him.
“Did you like it, Daddy,” Evie asks as her face sparkles.
He nods and feigns a smile. “It is beautiful, Evie. Your best yet.”
Evie beams up at her father. She pushes back the piano bench and lifts her ballet slippers from their resting place on top of the piano. “Would you like for me to show you what I learned in ballet today?”
“Maybe later. Come with me for now.”
He reaches down and takes Evie’s hand, leads her out of the living room and down the hall to the elevator. As they descend to his laboratory, Bishop can no longer hold back his tears.
“Why are you crying, Daddy?”
Bishop smiles at her. “I am just so moved by your tune, Evie.”
“Are we going for a check-up, Daddy?” She questions in her sweet, innocent voice.
He wraps his arm around her shoulder and pulls her toward him. “Yes, Evie. Just a check-up.”
©2020 Lori Carlson. All Rights Reserved.
Lori Carlson writes poetry, fiction, articles and personal essays. Most of her topics are centered around Relationships, Spirituality, Life Lessons, Mental Health, and the LGBTQ+ community. Check out her personal Medium blog here.
